Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) is to host South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on a state visit starting tomorrow, signaling Beijing’s intent to deepen ties with Seoul amidst strained relations with Tokyo over Taiwan.
The visit marks the second meeting between Xi and Lee in just two months, an unusually short interval that signals China’s keen interest in reinforcing ties with Seoul and boosting economic collaboration and tourism, analysts said.
Relations between China and Japan hit the lowest point in years after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November last year that Tokyo could take military action if Beijing attacked Taiwan.
Photo: Reuters
Xi’s invitation to Lee for a state visit is a calculated move aimed at deepening bilateral relations, especially before the South Korean leader visits Japan, analysts said.
“China wants to emphasize South Korea’s importance slightly more than before,” Hankuk University of Foreign Studies political economics professor Kang Jun-young said. “China appears to have strategically decided that it would be better to have [Lee] visit China before South Korea holds a summit with Japan again.”
Lee’s top security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, yesterday said he expected the Lee-Xi summit to open a “new chapter” in bilateral ties, adding that the two countries were preparing more than 10 deals on the economy, businesses and climate, although they were not working on a joint statement.
The Lee administration has said it aims to “restore” ties with Beijing, acknowledging China is South Korea’s largest trading partner. The pivot followed strained relations between the two countries under former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol, due to his closer alignment with Washington and Tokyo, as well as criticism of Beijing’s handling of Taipei.
Now, South Korea is trying to maintain a balance, but is leaning toward cooperation with China to avoid being forced into any troubles that would threaten the Asian industrial powerhouse.
Lee last month said he would not take sides in the diplomatic dispute between China and Japan.
Former South Korean vice minister of defense Shin Beom-chul said Xi and Lee might discuss contentious issues such as efforts to modernize the South Korea-US alliance.
About 28,500 US troops are based in South Korea to counter any threat from North Korea.
US officials have signaled a plan to make those forces more flexible to respond to other threats, such as defending Taiwan and checking China’s growing military reach.
Wi said South Korea would also try to reassure China that its plans to build nuclear-powered submarines were aimed only at deterring North Korea.
Lee’s agenda with Xi includes persuading China to facilitate dialogue with North Korea, experts said.
South Korea earlier said it expects to address cooperation in areas including critical minerals, supply chain and green industries.
The visit may also foster partnerships on artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, experts said.
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