President Lee Holds Summit with President Xi Jinping: 'A New Era for Fully Restoring Korea–China Relations'

During his state visit to China on the 5th (local time), President Lee Jae-myung stated, "This South Korea-China summit will serve as a crucial opportunity to make 2026 the first year of fully restoring Korea–China relations."
At the summit with President Xi Jinping held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that afternoon, President Lee remarked, "Today's meeting marks the first state summit diplomacy of the new byeongo year for both President Xi and myself."
President Lee reflected, "The roots of Korea–China relations run very deep. For thousands of years, our two countries have maintained friendly ties as neighbors, and during the periods when our sovereignty was lost, we joined hands and fought together to restore it."
He continued, "Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, our countries have developed an inseparable, mutually beneficial partnership. We will continue our efforts to advance our strategic cooperative partnership as an irreversible trend of the times."
Furthermore, he added, "Now, in line with the flow and changes of the times, I hope to open a new chapter in the development of Korea–China relations together with President Xi."
He also emphasized, "Based on the trust between President Xi and myself, we will firmly build the political and emotional foundations of Korea–China relations. In particular, we will pursue horizontal cooperation in areas directly related to people's daily lives and strengthen efforts to address livelihood issues."
Remarks on peace on the Korean Peninsula were also made.
President Lee stated, "We will seek feasible solutions together for peace on the Korean Peninsula," and stressed, "Both countries must work together to contribute to peace, which is the fundamental basis for prosperity and growth."
President Lee also recalled their first summit held last November on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, saying, "It has only been two months since we last met, yet it feels as if I am meeting someone I have not seen in a long time."
He added, "It is meaningful to make this swift state visit at President Xi's invitation, even before the memories of our Gyeongju meeting have faded. On behalf of the people of the Republic of Korea, I sincerely thank you for your warm welcome. As we welcome the new year, I wish happiness and health to the people of China and hope for the joint development of Korea and China."
He reiterated, "I hope today's meeting will allow us to discuss matters we could not cover in Gyeongju and serve as a decisive opportunity to solidify the historic trend of fully restoring Korea–China relations."
cjk@fnnews.com Choi Jong-geun Reporter