President Lee departs for four-day, two-city state visit to China

President Lee Jae Myung is embarking on a pivotal four-day state visit to China, a diplomatic journey poised to reshape relations between Seoul and Beijing. Accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, the presidential couple departed from Seoul Air Base on January 4th, marking the first visit by a South Korean president in six years and a state visit in nine – a clear signal of renewed engagement.

This significant two-city trip, spanning Beijing and Shanghai, comes upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, reciprocating his recent visit to South Korea in November. The primary agenda? A comprehensive discussion with President Xi Jinping focusing on bolstering economic and cultural cooperation, alongside crucial talks concerning the Korean Peninsula.

In Beijing, the diplomatic highlight will be the bilateral summit on Monday. This grand event includes an official welcoming ceremony, in-depth summit talks, a signing ceremony for Memorandums of Understanding (MOU), and a state banquet. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac emphasized the urgency of President Lee’s mission, stating that Lee is expected to urge China to play a constructive role in resolving Korean Peninsula issues, asserting that “people’s livelihoods and peace cannot be separated.” Both nations share the common goal of peace and stability in the region, and this visit aims to strengthen strategic communication to achieve a breakthrough.

A highly anticipated aspect of the talks revolves around cultural issues, specifically the easing of China’s unofficial restrictions on Korean pop culture, or Hallyu. These restrictions were put in place following South Korea’s decision in 2016 to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) antimissile system, impacting South Korea’s vibrant entertainment and tourism industries. The hope is for a new chapter of cultural exchange.

Beyond diplomacy, President Lee is also joined by a substantial business delegation, slated to participate in a Korea-China business forum in Beijing. This underscores the economic thrust of the visit, aiming to explore new avenues for trade and investment.

Following the engagements in Beijing, President Lee will head to Shanghai for a two-day itinerary blending history and innovation. He will visit the historic provisional government building, which served as the Korean government’s headquarters from 1926 to 1932 – a visit that poignantly marks its 100th anniversary. This year also commemorates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Korean independence activist Kim Koo, who led the provisional government in exile. Furthermore, Lee is scheduled to attend a Korea-China startup summit, looking towards future collaborations in technology and entrepreneurship.

In a recent interview with China’s state-run broadcaster CCTV, President Lee addressed a sensitive geopolitical matter, reaffirming South Korea’s stance on the ‘One China’ principle regarding the Taiwan issue, stating, “our position of respecting the ‘One China’ principle remains unchanged."

This state visit represents a critical moment for South Korea-China relations, offering a fresh opportunity to normalize ties, expand cooperation across vital sectors, and collectively work towards peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia.

Source: Original Article