Just before dawn in Jeju Island, crates of fresh produce roll onto a ship bound for Qingdao in the Chinese mainland 🚢. Thanks to Jeju’s brand-new Qingdao-Jeju container line—Jeju’s first regular international shipping route—a two-week trek has turned into an overnight express.
But this speedy link is more than just faster trade. It’s a symbol of renewed harmony between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) 🌏. On November 1, leaders Chinese President Xi Jinping and ROK President Lee Jae-myung met in Gyeongju to set a fresh tone for their partnership.
🤝 “Important close neighbors that cannot be moved apart”
At Gyeongju’s historic Bulguksa Temple, President Xi called on both sides to boost strategic communication and mutual trust. “Promoting the sound and steady development of China-ROK relations is always a right choice that serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples,” he said.
- Respecting different social systems while handling disagreements through friendly talks 🔄
- Upholding true multilateralism for fairer global governance 🌐
- Reinforcing high-level exchanges: from special delegations to anniversary events 📅
Political scholar Niu Xiaoping believes this gathering is more than protocol—it’s a “bridging and guiding role” that helps both sides redefine their shared future.
💼 “Cooperation partners that cannot be separated”
Economic ties have been the bedrock of China-ROK friendship. China leads as the ROK’s top trading partner for 21 years, while the ROK is now China’s second-largest partner. In 2024, bilateral trade hit $328.08 billion (up 5.6%).
President Xi urged fast-tracking the second phase of the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement and diving into hot fields like AI, biomedicine, green tech and the silver economy 💡.
“To help one’s neighbor succeed is to help oneself,” Xi stressed. President Lee agreed, calling economic cooperation “vital and indispensable.”
🛂 People-to-people power
It’s not just about politics and business. Since visa-free entry for ROK visitors to the Chinese mainland and ROK’s group tour exemption for Chinese travelers, trips have surged. From January to August, nearly 2 million visits—40% more than last year—have fueled cultural exchanges and new friendships.
With shipping lanes buzzing, summit halls warming and tourists exploring, China-ROK ties are sailing into a promising horizon. Next up: deeper tech collaboration, greener industries and more people connecting across borders 🌟.
Reference(s):
How China, ROK leaders open new prospects for ties at Gyeongju meeting
cgtn.com
