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A new year reset for China-ROK ties

By Wang Junsheng | CHINA DAILY | Updated: 2026-01-08 07:14
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LI MIN/CHINA DAILY

Republic of Korea President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to China from Jan 4 to 7 marked Lee's second meeting with President Xi Jinping in just two months, following their talks in the ROK in November 2025. The pace of engagement reflects the high importance both sides attach to bilateral relations.

After their talks on Monday, the two leaders witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation agreements in areas such as scientific and technological innovation, ecological environment, transportation, and economic and trade cooperation.

Lee's pragmatic diplomacy is also reflected in the business delegation of approximately 200 members accompanying him on this state visit, as well as his trip to Shanghai on Jan 7 for an innovation forum covering topics ranging from new materials and AI to medical health.

The stabilization and gradual warming of China-ROK relations stem from mutual respect for each other's core interests. Throughout his election campaign, Lee stressed the importance of relations with China, not only as the ROK's largest trading partner but as a key country influencing security in the Korean Peninsula. After assuming office, he has translated that rhetoric into policy signals.

On issues relating to China's sovereignty and security interests, Lee has maintained an objective stance. He has stated on multiple public occasions that whatever happens in the Taiwan Strait has nothing to do with the ROK, and that Seoul should not be involved in it. During his recent visit to the United States, he refrained from touching on sensitive issues such as the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

The improvement in bilateral ties is also driven by the extensive shared interests between the two countries. China has been the ROK's largest trading partner for 21 consecutive years, while the ROK is China's second-largest trading partner country. The ROK's exports in sectors such as semiconductors, petrochemical products and auto parts are highly dependent on the Chinese market. As two major countries in Northeast Asia, they also share a stake in resolving regional hotspot issues through dialogue and in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

History and people-to-people bonds add another layer of ballast to the relationship. China and the ROK fought side by side during the World Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). The ROK's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik attended events marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance on Sept 3 in China.

The Lee administration's appointment of Roh Jae-heon as ambassador to China is also noteworthy. The appointment has political significance because Roh is the son of former president Roh Tae-woo, who helped Seoul establish diplomatic relations with Beijing in 1992. Roh used to be the director of the East Asia Culture Center in Seoul, so his appointment reflects an emphasis on cultural exchange and signals Lee's intention to strengthen bilateral cultural ties.

Even so, China-ROK relations still face certain constraints. The Lee administration wants to pursue ties with China within the framework of the ROK-United States alliance. Lee has also reached a preliminary consensus with US President Donald Trump on continuing discussions over the strategic flexibility of US forces stationed in the ROK. The discussions are bound to touch on China-related issues.

That makes strategic communication between Seoul and Beijing all the more essential. Since the Lee administration took office, senior ROK officials have sent positive signals regarding China. High-level engagement can provide the guidance needed for further development of bilateral relations.

President Xi paid a state visit to the ROK when he attended the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in 2025, taking the initiative to steer bilateral ties forward. Lee's visit at the start of the new year sends a reciprocal signal of intent. With China set to host the APEC leaders' meeting later this year, there is ample room for the two sides to expand cooperation through strategic leadership.

Also, China and the ROK should strengthen policy coordination on the Korean Peninsula and jointly promote peace and stability. Cooperation is essential not only because both countries are stakeholders with significant influence on the peninsula, but also because their interests and positions are highly aligned. Both sides advocate peace and stability and favor resolving issues through dialogue.

Further, the two countries should deepen development integration and upgrade economic and trade cooperation. The Lee administration has placed economic growth at the top of its policy agenda, seeking to reform the structure of foreign trade and enhance its quality. Business circles in the ROK also hope China will provide stable supplies of key minerals, including rare earths.

As China's second-largest trading partner country, the ROK is of great importance to the country's economic development. The two sides should expedite negotiations on the second phase of the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement, advance liberalization in services and investment and enhance bilateral economic and trade relations.

They should also strengthen dialogue on industry and supply chains, using higher-standard negative list management, dispute settlement mechanisms and market access rules to safeguard the resilience of key sectors such as rare earths and semiconductors. In addition, both sides should continue to advance third-party market cooperation and elevate the level of bilateral economic cooperation through platforms such as third-party market cooperation forums.

The author is the director of the Department of China's Regional Strategy, National Institute of International Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at opinion@chinadaily.com.cn, and comment@chinadaily.com.cn.

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