With President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea on his first visit to China, CGTN has published an article highlighting how the visit strengthens political mutual trust, fosters economic and trade cooperation, and reaffirms both countries' shared responsibilities in regional peace and global development.

The first direct passenger flight route between southeast China's Xiamen and Busan of the Republic of Korea (ROK) was launched on January 4, injecting new momentum into strengthening bilateral exchanges and cooperation between China and the ROK.

China and ROK have seen a surge in people-to-people exchanges, particularly tourism, following the implementation of mutual visa exemption policies in November 2024 and September 2025, respectively. In the first 11 months of 2025, bilateral personnel exchanges exceeded 7.28 million, a 24.7 percent year-on-year increase.

The momentum will continue as ROK President Lee Jae Myung is on his first visit to China in the new year, where he is warmly welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During their meeting in Beijing on Monday, Xi said China is willing to work with the ROK to firmly uphold the direction of friendly cooperation and adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

Enhancing strategic trust

The visit marks Lee's first trip to China since assuming office in June and is the second engagement between the two leaders within two months, following their meeting in November in Gyeongju, ROK.

Dong Xiangrong, a senior fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that Lee's visit, just two months after the bilateral meeting in November, reflects his genuine commitment to advancing China-ROK relations toward positive growth.

In an interview with CMG, President Lee stated that the purpose of his visit is to minimize or eliminate past misunderstandings and contradictions as much as possible, elevate and develop ROK-China relations to a new stage, and firmly establish a relationship of mutual assistance and development between the two nations.

As President Lee continues his visit to China, Dong highlighted that head-of-state diplomacy plays a crucial guiding role in China-ROK relations, sending a clear, positive signal to strengthen bilateral ties, deepen political mutual trust, and promote economic and trade cooperation.

Xi, describing China and ROK as important neighbors that cannot be moved away, said China and the ROK should increase exchanges and maintain frequent communication. He added that China is willing to work with the ROK to promote the bilateral strategic partnership on a healthy path and effectively enhance the well-being of both peoples.

Expanding the pie of common interests

Data from China's General Administration of Customs showed that Chinese imports and exports with the ROK totaled 2.14 trillion yuan ($304.46 billion) in the first 11 months of 2025, up 1.6 percent year on year. It also showed during this period, China-ROK trade in electromechanical products reached 1.43 trillion yuan – up 5.9 percent and accounting for 67 percent of the bilateral total.

Behind the data lies the fact that China has remained the ROK's largest trading partner for 21 consecutive years, while the ROK has regained its position as China's second-largest trading partner.

During the meeting, Xi told his Korean counterpart that China and the ROK should further align their development strategies, expand the pie of common interests, and achieve more cooperation results in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and green industries.

On Monday, the China-ROK business forum was held in Beijing and around 400 government officials, business leaders and representatives from both countries attended. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng told the guests that both countries should strengthen economic ties and forge new opportunities for win-win cooperation at the forum.

Chey Tae-won, SK Group chairperson and CEO, said the forum demonstrated the high expectations the business community holds for bilateral economic cooperation. He added that this will inject stronger momentum into mutually beneficial cooperation.

Kim Sin-jae, CEO of Samjin Amook Co, a large fishcake brand, said many sectors in China and the ROK are complementary, offering ample opportunities for collaboration, especially in new technology development. He added that, "Following this state-level event, we will sign a memorandum of understanding to formally enter the Chinese market with a local partner to help us expand."

Shouldering responsibilities in regional peace and global development

China and the ROK are not only major countries in Northeast Asia, but also major countries in the Asia-Pacific region as members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Given both countries' key roles in geopolitics, the regional economy and economic globalization, the two leaders voiced during Monday's meeting that they should shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining regional peace and promoting global development.

Taking RCEP as an example, Wang Junsheng, a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China and the ROK have engaged in very substantive cooperation in jointly opposing unilateralism and trade protectionism.

In the face of rising unilateralism and trade protectionism, China and the ROK should strengthen their cooperation, the scholar said. "This not only benefits their bilateral relationship but, as two major economies in the Asia-Pacific region, their cooperation also has positive significance for the economic recovery of the Asia-Pacific region and the global economy."

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