Why It Matters
President Lee Jae-myung of the Republic of Korea (ROK) heads to China from Jan 4 to 7 for his first state visit since taking office. With global tensions rising, both sides want to boost peace, respect, and prosperity in Northeast Asia. Lee highlighted the need to clear up past frictions, inject fresh momentum into the ROK–China partnership, and move ties to a new level. 🤝
Business & Economy
More than 200 ROK business leaders, including heads of Samsung Electronics, SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group, and LG Group, are joining the trip. They'll explore collaborations in supply chains, digital economy, climate tech, tourism, and security. Expect around 10 MoUs to be signed, covering everything from e-commerce to transnational crime prevention.
Tech & Green Innovation
Negotiations on phase two of the ROK–China Free Trade Agreement will focus on AI, cloud computing, and green energy. Chinese firms like Alibaba Cloud already have data centers in Seoul, while ROK innovators invest in solar, hydrogen, and EV tech. Lee called green collaboration a 'huge window of opportunity' for both sides. 🌱
One-China Principle
Lee reaffirmed the ROK's respect for the one-China principle, noting that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are vital. He emphasized that mutual respect for core interests is key to healthy bilateral relations.
Stay tuned for the highlights as this dynamic visit unfolds! ✈️🌟
Reference(s):
What to expect from ROK President Lee Jae-myung's visit to China
cgtn.com
