Toward more mature ROK-China ties
In June this year, the ROK witnessed the first anniversary of its new government. Within just one year, the Lee Jae Myung administration has not only restored political stability and economic confidence, but also elevated the ROK's global standing through its "pragmatic diplomacy".
President Lee Jae Myung's proactive summit diplomacy — encompassing official visits to 14 countries and hosting the heads of state from 13 nations — has enabled ROK diplomacy to rebuild international confidence while strengthening strategic partnership and multilateral diplomacy.
In particular, ROK-China relations have developed to new heights within a remarkably short period of time.
The two successful summit meetings served as a vivid testament to the dramatic progress in bilateral relations, yielding tangible and meaningful outcomes across a wide range of areas.
As indispensable neighboring countries, the ROK and China have shared common interests in many areas and maintained close relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992. Through mutual efforts, bilateral relations have reached a new peak.
Last November, the ROK successfully hosted the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, achieving a milestone outcome with the adoption of the "Gyeongju Declaration" aiming towards easing regional trade barriers and stabilizing global supply chains.
On this occasion, President Xi Jinping visited the ROK. It was the first state visit by President Xi Jinping in 11 years. During his visit, the two leaders engaged in hours of comprehensive discussions, reaffirming the core value of our strategic cooperative partnership and laying out a blueprint for the comprehensive development of bilateral relations across political, security, economic, and cultural spheres. Then only two months later, President Lee visited Beijing. It was the first state visit by the ROK President in 9 years. These consecutive summit meetings have led to the following results.
On the political side, the two countries fully restored strategic and cooperative partnership. Mutual trust is being restored, and mutual respect is deepening. Both agreed to work together for a more stable and secure Korean Peninsula. High-level engagement and strategic communication continue to intensify.
On the economic and trade side, concrete numbers accurately reflect the positive momentum in bilateral relations. From the inauguration of the Lee Jae Myung administration through May 2026, trade between the ROK and China has totaled $315.9 billion, marking an 18 percent increase from the same period a year earlier.
The two leaders shared their vision for future cooperation in the field of investment, AI, bio industry and smart cities. Cooperation for securing a stable supply chain has been strengthened. Negotiations for the new trade and investment FTA are accelerating.
An agreement was reached to extend the currency swap. Discussions on demographic challenges facing the two countries such as aging society and silver economy were also on the agenda. As the two countries prioritize the livelihood of the people, these mutual cooperation will benefit the people of both countries.
A total of around 20 MOUs were signed to secure the implementation of the mutual agreements. These are substantive measures that will help stabilize and cement bilateral relations, especially in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
On people-to-people exchanges, mutual visits are on an upward trend, especially as both sides relaxed visa policy. The number of international flights between the ROK and China reached 113,200 just within 11 months since the launch of the current administration, marking an 8.3 percent increase.
The expanded connectivity has driven a significant increase in people-to-people exchanges, with bilateral visitor numbers rising to 8.45 million, up an approximately 26 percent. Cultural and sports cooperation is also expanding. To the delight of soccer and baduk fans, the two sides are strengthening partnerships and people-to-people exchanges in these areas, which are of great common interest to the younger generations of both countries.
Building on this growing momentum, the ROK-China Summer Youth Sports Exchange is scheduled to take place this year between Jeollabuk-do and Hainan Province, featuring friendly matches in badminton, basketball, table tennis, and baduk.
With joint efforts, these exchanges have helped improve mutual perceptions. Taking China's concerns seriously, President Lee himself publicly spoke out against the spread of misinformation and domestic fake news concerning China. According to a ROK polling organization, the favorability rating toward China recently rose from 21.3 to 30.2 percent just within a year.
Moreover, the share of those who regarded the relations as either good or average rose significantly to 78 percent. Concurrently, various other studies indicate that Chinese citizens' favorability toward the ROK has improved as well. It clearly demonstrates a meaningful and reciprocal turnaround in mutual public perceptions.
The upcoming 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen, China will present another important opportunity for the ROK and China to further strengthen strategic communication and deepen practical cooperation.
Building on the positive momentum achieved through the recent summit meetings, the two countries will continue to expand collaboration in emerging future-oriented fields.
Guided by the common understandings reached by two leaders, the ROK and China will work together to manifest the shared visions into substantive outcomes, accumulate mutual trust and expand people-to-people exchanges.
Advancing strategic cooperative partnership toward a more mature, stable, and ever-deepening relationship is the path the two countries are taking together.
The author is the ambassador of the Republic of Korea to China.
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
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