South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung is kicking off 2026 with a high-profile state visit to the Chinese mainland, aiming to reboot ties 🇰🇷🤝🇨🇳.
Scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Sunday, January 4, Lee will then head to Shanghai. This marks his first state visit to the Chinese mainland since taking office last June, and comes just two months after his meeting with President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju last November. That encounter set the stage for a stronger partnership at a pivotal moment for both sides.
The Shanghai stop holds special meaning: 2026 commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Korean provisional government’s headquarters in Shanghai and the 150th birthday of independence hero Kim Koo. Lee’s itinerary blends history with future-focused deals.
On the agenda, Seoul and Beijing plan to sign several memoranda of understanding and host business events designed to boost collaboration between startups and venture firms. Leading the way, the heads of South Korea’s four largest conglomerates will join a business delegation of around 200 executives—the first such visit in more than six years.
Economic cooperation is set to dominate talks, with key themes including:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) 🚀
- Biopharmaceuticals 💊
- Green industries 🌱
- Silver economy (aging tech) 👵👴
Experts say joint ventures and tech partnerships could spring up, creating new opportunities for companies in both countries. Education and research cooperation is another highlight: universities and institutes may expand joint projects, talent exchanges, and innovation hubs, building long-term ties that help weather political ups and downs.
As Lee’s trip unfolds, all eyes will be on whether this diplomatic push can spark fresh momentum in one of Asia’s most important relationships. Stay tuned! 🚀✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
