China's foreign ministry has expressed regret over South Korean media reports on a remark made by China's ambassador to Seoul.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during a news conference on Tuesday that some of the reports had been "inconsistent with the facts."

Last Thursday, Chinese envoy Xing Haiming said in talks with the leader of South Korea's largest opposition party that there are those who bet on the United States to win and China to lose and they would definitely regret it.

The comment is thought to have been an expression of discontent with the Yoon administration's policy of boosting ties with Washington.

Wang said that some of the reports had even attacked the ambassador personally.

He said it was the ambassador's duty to engage and interact with various figures from different circles in South Korea. He stressed that the purpose of Xing's activities was to enhance understanding, promote cooperation and advance their relationship.

Wang added that the envoy's activities should not be sensationalized.