The renewed attention to cultural and people-to-people exchanges following the meeting between the heads of state of South Korea and China in January is both timely and highly significant.

For much of the past decade, South Korea-China relations have been shaped primarily by political, economic and security considerations. While these dimensions remain important, they are not sufficient on their own to sustain a stable and forward-looking bilateral relationship. Ultimately, the most durable foundation of South Korea-China relations lies in mutual understanding between people.

From this perspective, President Lee Jae-myung's proposals — such as exchanges in baduk (the board game Go), cooperation in soccer and the idea of panda loans — should be understood not as symbolic gestures, but as carefully chosen entry points for rebuilding trust. These are areas where political sensitivity is relatively low, yet public resonance is high. They allow both governments to reconnect at the societal level without triggering strategic or ideological debates.

The game Go, in particular, represents a shared cultural heritage deeply embedded in both South Korean and Chinese intellectual traditions. Beyond being a game, it reflects a common philosophy that values balance, patience and long-term thinking — principles that are also essential in diplomacy. Soccer, meanwhile, offers a universal language for younger generations, creating natural opportunities for interaction that transcend political boundaries. Panda exchanges, often described as a form of "soft diplomacy", carry strong emotional appeal and can function as an effective buffer against negative public sentiment during periods of political strain.

Looking ahead, the cultural and humanistic exchanges between South Korea and China must move beyond event-based or symbolic cooperation. What is needed now is a more structured, sustainable and future-oriented framework.

First, greater emphasis should be placed on youth and next-generation exchanges. Student mobility, joint academic research and youth-led cultural projects may not produce immediate political outcomes, but they play a decisive role in shaping long-term perceptions. The way young Koreans and Chinese understand each other today will largely determine the trajectory of bilateral relations in the decades to come.

Second, cooperation in cultural content deserves renewed attention. South Korean cultural industries — including film, television and digital media — have gained global recognition, while China possesses both a vast market and a rich civilizational heritage. If both sides approach cultural exchange from a perspective of co-creation rather than competition, this area can become a powerful driver of mutual understanding as well as shared economic value.

Equally important is the principle that cultural and people-to-people exchanges should not be treated merely as extensions of political relations. When bilateral ties face difficulties, suspending or politicizing cultural exchange often deepens misunderstandings rather than resolving them. On the contrary, maintaining open channels of humanistic interaction can serve as a stabilizing force, preventing temporary tensions from escalating into long-term estrangement.

In this sense, the current momentum created by the January summit offers an important opportunity. If South Korea and China can reaffirm their commitment to cultural and humanistic exchange as an independent pillar of bilateral relations, such exchanges can function as a "safety valve" during times of political uncertainty. Over time, this approach will contribute not only to greater mutual trust, but also to a more mature and resilient partnership between South Korea and China.

Ultimately, cultural and people-to-people exchanges will not be peripheral to diplomacy; they will become central to it. The real strength of South Korea-China relations will be measured not only by agreements reached at the leaders' level, but by the depth of the familiarity and goodwill that exist between ordinary citizens of both countries.

The author is head of the Institute of East Asian Studies of Korea and president of the Korea-China Global Association in Seoul.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.