President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea (ROK) is currently in Beijing on his first state visit to China since taking office in 2025. Accompanied by an economic delegation of over 200 business leaders 🛬, Lee is set to meet Chinese premier Li Qiang for high-level talks.
China is the ROK’s largest trading partner, and their economies mesh like puzzle pieces. Semiconductors — the chips that power everything from smartphones to gaming consoles — and batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) are the star players 💾🔋. Last year, bilateral trade topped $400 billion, with both sides riding the tech boom.
In meetings, expect discussions on boosting supply-chain resilience and co-developing next-gen tech like AI, 6G, and green energy. Several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) could be signed on joint research, digital services, and clean-tech projects. It’s all about keeping the digital economy engines running smoothly 🌐.
Why should young pros and students in South Asia and Southeast Asia care? A stronger China-ROK partnership means more stable chip supplies for the region’s smartphone, laptop, and electric bike makers — translating to better gadgets and possibly lower prices. Plus, startups could tap into new funding avenues and cross-border collaborations 🤝.
Looking ahead, both sides are eyeing the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco this November for a follow-up. If today’s signals hold, 2026 could be the year we see deeper China-ROK tech ties shaping the future of our digital lives and green mobility. Stay tuned! 🚀
Reference(s):
Lee Jae Myung in China: What's next for China-ROK economic ties?
cgtn.com
