On Jan 4, 2026, ROK President Lee Jae Myung landed in Beijing, marking the first state visit by a Republic of Korea leader to the Chinese mainland in six years. Running until Jan 7, this ice-breaking trip signals a fresh start for the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership. 🤝
An Ice-Breaking Journey
Since diplomatic ties began 33 years ago, heads of state have never met so close together. Coming after President Xi Jinping’s visit to Seoul just two months ago, Lee’s trip aims to rebuild the cornerstones of trust that had hit a low ebb. In a pre-departure interview, he said relations with the Chinese mainland would “enter a new phase.”
Key Moments and Core Interests
The highlight will be Lee’s meeting with President Xi. They’re set to reaffirm the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership and respect each other’s core interests. Seoul is expected to clearly restate its respect for the one-China principle and commit to properly addressing the Taiwan question.
Looking Ahead
Beyond symbolism, both sides will tackle real-world challenges. As Wi Seong-rak, director of the National Security Office of the ROK President, noted, Beijing and Seoul share goals in safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. This balanced, pragmatic shift could reshape security strategy in Northeast Asia. 🚀
Reference(s):
Bridging history, forging future: A new chapter for China-ROK ties
cgtn.com
