Beijing: South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized China's significant role as a "very important partner" for peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula ahead of his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Lee made these remarks on Sunday during a visit to Beijing, marking his first state visit to China since taking office in June and the first by a South Korean president since 2019.
According to Anadolu Agency, Lee addressed Korean residents in Beijing, acknowledging China's crucial contribution to past peace efforts, particularly by hosting the six-party talks aimed at resolving the North Korean nuclear issue. "China is a very important cooperative partner in moving toward peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula," Lee stated. He also expressed a commitment to bridging gaps in Korea-China relations and elevating them to a new level.
Lee's agenda includes talks with Xi on Monday, marking their second meeting in two months, following discussions at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju in November. During their meeting, Lee is expected to focus on economic cooperation and peace initiatives on the Korean Peninsula, seeking Beijing's assistance in making progress on these issues. Under Lee's administration, South Korea aims to maintain stable relations with China, a vital partner in trade, tourism, and peace efforts, while also preserving a strong alliance with the United States through a "pragmatic" diplomatic strategy.
Lee's visit coincides with North Korea's ballistic missile launches on Sunday, the first since November, which occurred as Lee arrived in China. Accompanied by a substantial business delegation, Lee will participate in a Korea-China economic forum in Beijing on Monday, where discussions will focus on expanding cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, green energy, supply chains, and tourism. The two nations are expected to sign over 10 memorandums of understanding to enhance collaboration across various sectors.
Before departing for Shanghai on Tuesday, Lee will meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, China's top legislator. In Shanghai, Lee plans to attend a startup event with Korean and Chinese entrepreneurs before returning to South Korea on Wednesday. In a separate statement to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV News on Friday, Lee emphasized the importance of respecting the one-China principle and maintaining peace and stability in Northeast Asia, including the Taiwan Strait.
China and South Korea have maintained diplomatic relations since 1992, and by 2024, their trade volume is projected to exceed $267 billion. In an unrelated development, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin also arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a five-day official visit, which includes meetings with Xi and Li, marking the first visit by an Irish premier in 14 years.