Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming is set to leave his post in mid-July after a tenure marked by controversy. During a farewell visit with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on Thursday, Xing expressed gratitude for the support he received and pledged to continue working on ROK-China relations.

Xing, who assumed his role in Jan. 2020, faced difficulties following contentious remarks in June 2023 about “betting on China’s defeat.” This incident reportedly hindered his official interactions with South Korean officials and led to a decrease in public appearances. Fang Kun, Minister-Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, is expected to serve as Chargé d’Affaires following Xing’s departure.