As competition between the United States and China increasingly extends from diplomacy to technology and supply chains, Seoul faces the challenge of managing ties with its security ally and one of its most important economic partners. Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing said Seoul does not need to choose between Washington and Beijing, saying maintaining relations with both countries serves Korea’s national interests. “China has never asked Korea to choose a side between China and the United States,” Dai said in an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Sept. 29. “We hope that Korea will pursue sound relations parallel with both China and the United States, guided by its own fundamental national interests.” The ambassador said U.S.-China competition should not be the sole lens through which the regional order in East Asia is viewed, adding China hopes Korea will pursue what he described as “genuine strategic autonomy.” Dai emphasized that strategic autonomy does not mean giving up Korea’s alliance with the U.S., saying China respects the alliance relationship based on