South Korean President Lee Begins State Visit to China for Economic and Security Talks

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung prepares to launch a pivotal three-day state visit to the People's Republic of China starting Sunday, January 4, 2026. This marks the first such presidential trip from Seoul since Moon Jae-in's 2019 journey to Beijing, signaling a thaw in high-level exchanges. The itinerary builds directly on Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent attendance at the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, during late October 2025, where initial groundwork for renewed cooperation was laid.

Core summit discussions between Lee and Xi are slated for Monday, January 5, in Beijing. These talks underscore both countries' commitment to fortifying their "strategic cooperative partnership," a framework established in prior decades but strained by events like the 2016 THAAD deployment. As regional powers navigate U.S.-China rivalry, this engagement represents Lee's administration's proactive diplomacy to prioritize stability and mutual gains.

Economic Collaboration Takes Center Stage

The agenda prioritizes tangible economic advancements, reflecting China's enduring role as South Korea's largest trading partner. Bilateral trade volume hit a robust $328.08 billion in 2024, per official Korean trade statistics, fueling industries from electronics to automobiles. Key topics include bolstering supply-chain investments, expanding the digital economy through AI and 5G synergies, and advancing green industries like electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy.

A focal point involves securing supplies of critical minerals—essential for South Korea's world-leading semiconductor sector, which depends on China for nearly half its rare earth elements and processing capacity. Experts foresee the signing of more than 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) spanning economic cooperation, industrial innovation, and climate action. Such pacts could mitigate vulnerabilities exposed by past global disruptions, fostering resilient bilateral ties.

Broader Diplomatic Objectives

Beyond commerce, President Lee seeks China's constructive role in Korean Peninsula affairs, aiming for breakthroughs in dialogue amid North Korea's provocations. Seoul also presses for easing China's longstanding, unofficial curbs on Hallyu—the global Korean Wave of K-pop, dramas, and films—restrictions that followed the U.S. THAAD missile defense installation in 2016. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac has emphasized a phased restoration of cultural exchanges, aligning with thawing relations.

The timing proves strategic, as Northeast Asian tensions simmer, including recent Japanese statements on Taiwan. In response, South Korea, via Adviser Wi, has reaffirmed its adherence to the "one-China policy," a diplomatic assurance aimed at smoothing Beijing's concerns. This visit embodies the Lee government's nuanced balancing act in an era of intensifying great-power competition.

Shanghai Extension and Historical Ties

Following the Beijing summit, President Lee travels to Shanghai from Tuesday, January 7, to Wednesday, January 8. Highlights include a ceremonial visit to the historic site of South Korea's provisional government during Japanese colonial rule. This leg coincides with the 150th anniversary of independence leader Kim Koo's birth and the centenary of the site's significance, promoting cultural and historical bonds between the peoples.

Overall, the visit—anticipated to yield concrete outcomes—positions South Korea to harness economic opportunities while advancing security and cultural goals. Analysts view it as a masterstroke in pragmatic statecraft, potentially reshaping regional dynamics for years ahead.