Beijing: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, marking a pivotal moment aimed at fully restoring bilateral relations between the two nations. This summit comes after a period of strained ties due to issues such as the North Korean threat and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. President Lee emphasized the importance of developing a strategic cooperative partnership and expressed his desire to open a "new phase" in the relationship, grounded in mutual trust with Xi. He also committed to pursuing "feasible alternatives" for peace on the Korean Peninsula, acknowledging China's critical role as an ally of North Korea.
According to Deutsche Welle, Xi Jinping, during a joint press conference, advocated for resolving differences through dialogue and consultation. He stressed the importance of both countries working together to maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia. Citing the rapidly changing global landscape, Xi noted that Beijing and Seoul have significant responsibilities and shared interests in upholding regional peace. He urged both nations to "stand firmly on the right side of history" and make prudent strategic choices.
Lee's visit marks the first state visit to Beijing by a South Korean president in six years and signals a shift in diplomatic tone. As a representative of the Democratic Party of Korea, which favors more open relations with China compared to the previous administration, Lee is expected to take a softer approach toward Beijing. The visit follows recent North Korean missile tests and the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as well as controversial Chinese military exercises near Taiwan.
During their meeting, Xi and Lee signed several memorandums of understanding to foster future cooperation in areas such as technological innovation, environmental protection, transport, and trade. An evening state banquet was to follow the signing of these agreements. Accompanying Lee were key business and tech leaders from South Korea, including Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group's Chung Eui-sun, with the aim of enhancing ties with China, South Korea's largest trading partner.
Earlier in the day, prominent figures from Chinese companies like battery giant CATL, phone manufacturer ZTE, and tech giant Tencent attended an event at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. On Tuesday, President Lee is scheduled to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other high-ranking officials before traveling to Shanghai, a significant economic hub.