President Lee Jae-myung receives Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Seoul
On Thursday, President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae-myung received Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Blue House in Seoul. When two neighbouring countries bound by millennia of shared history and common challenges sit down for high-level talks, it is always more than diplomatic protocol.
Relations between China and Korea have seen both ups and downs, yet today's meeting reaffirms that pragmatism and good-neighbourliness remain a solid foundation for mutual trust. In an era of global fragmentation and trade wars, dialogue between Beijing and Seoul becomes not just a bilateral event but a signal to the entire region that stability and cooperation are possible even in the most challenging circumstances.
Lee Jae-myung expressed satisfaction with the rapid improvement and development of current relations between the ROK and China, noting that bilateral trade and economic cooperation are growing actively, and the number of mutual visits by citizens of the two countries is expected to exceed 10 million this year.
He added that the public perception of China in the ROK is steadily improving, and people are looking forward to strengthening comprehensive cooperation with China. In the current international situation, Lee said, the ROK and China need each other in areas such as economy, trade and security, stressing that strengthening strategic cooperation serves the fundamental interests of both countries and is important for maintaining regional peace and stability.
He called on the two countries to become interdependent and complementary partners. Lee Jae-myung expressed hope to visit Shenzhen in November 2026 for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, calling it an important opportunity to work with China to elevate the strategic partnership between the ROK and China to a new level.
Noting that Lee had made the right choice by putting China-ROK relations back on track after taking office, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that the restoration of bilateral relations and the positive progress this year prove that a rational, pragmatic and positive policy towards China fully serves the interests of the Republic of Korea and is in line with the trends of the times.
Wang said that China is an important force for maintaining peace worldwide, a stabilising factor in the world and will become the world's largest market, stressing that China is ready to share development opportunities with all countries, especially neighbours. Wang expressed hope that the Republic of Korea will firmly pursue a friendly policy towards China.
He said that both sides should take the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year as an opportunity to make greater progress in China-ROK strategic cooperation and contribute to the development of both countries, as well as regional peace and prosperity.
Wang stated that as global economic fragmentation intensifies and trade protectionism grows, China and the ROK should play an exemplary role, complete the second phase of negotiations on the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement as soon as possible, and promote regional economic integration and inclusive economic globalisation through concrete actions. During his visit, Wang also held talks with ROK Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and a strategic dialogue with the President's chief national security advisor, Wi Sung-lac.
Relations between China and the ROK were established in 1992 and have evolved over more than three decades from mistrust to strategic partnership. However, in recent years, relations have faced challenges related to the THAAD deployment, trade imbalances and geopolitical factors. In 2026, after President Lee Jae-myung took office, a positive momentum emerged: both sides intensified high-level dialogue, resumed free trade negotiations and increased people-to-people exchanges. The APEC summit in Shenzhen in November 2026 is expected to serve as an important milestone for further alignment of positions.
As CCTV+ reports, the meeting at the Blue House was an important step towards deepening the strategic partnership between Beijing and Seoul. Both sides reaffirmed their readiness to jointly address global challenges, strengthen economic cooperation and maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula. As the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations approaches, China and the ROK are demonstrating that good-neighbourliness and mutual respect remain a reliable compass in a rapidly changing world.
