Chinese President Xi Jinping will host South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on a state visit beginning Sunday, signalling Beijing’s intent to strengthen ties with Seoul amid rising regional tensions, particularly strained China-Japan relations over Taiwan.
National Security Workshop Balochistan Delegation Visits Peshawar for Security Briefings
The visit will mark the second meeting between Xi and Lee in just two months, an unusually short interval that analysts say underscores China’s strong interest in reinforcing bilateral relations with South Korea, especially in the areas of economic cooperation and tourism.
Relations between China and Japan have deteriorated sharply in recent months, reaching their lowest point in years after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo could consider military action if China were to attack Taiwan. Against this backdrop, Xi’s invitation to Lee ahead of a planned South Korea-Japan summit is seen as a strategic move by Beijing.
“China wants to emphasize South Korea’s importance more than before,” said Kang Jun-young, professor of political economics at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, adding that Beijing prefers Lee’s China visit to come before renewed engagement with Japan.
Lee’s top security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, said the summit is expected to open a “new chapter” in bilateral relations. He confirmed that more than 10 agreements covering the economy, business cooperation and climate issues are being prepared, though no joint statement is planned.
The Lee administration has stated its intention to restore relations with Beijing, acknowledging China as South Korea’s largest trading partner. Ties had been strained under former president Yoon Suk Yeol, whose administration leaned closer to Washington and Tokyo and was openly critical of China’s stance on Taiwan.
Despite renewed engagement, complex issues remain. South Korea continues to rely on its security alliance with the United States, while China remains North Korea’s main ally and economic lifeline. Experts expect Xi and Lee to discuss sensitive topics, including the modernization of the South Korea-US alliance and Seoul’s plans for nuclear-powered submarines, which South Korea says are aimed solely at deterring North Korea.
Economic cooperation is also expected to dominate talks, with discussions likely on critical minerals, supply chains, semiconductors, green industries, and artificial intelligence. China supplies nearly half of South Korea’s rare earth minerals and remains the largest market for its chip exports, highlighting the deep interdependence between the two economies.
