Mutually beneficial outcomes on agenda as neighbors seek to bolster relationship: China Daily editorial

In the first visit to China by a leader of the Republic of Korea in six years, President Lee Jae-myung began a four-day visit on Sunday.

Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-ROK relations have emerged from a low point and have been showing a steady and positive development trend. It is believed that with the joint efforts of both sides, Lee's visit will help promote new progress in the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership.

The continued development of a stable and healthy China-ROK relationship not only serves the fundamental interests of both nations, but also injects certainty into regional peace and stability. The historical trajectory of China-ROK ties bears witness to the enduring truth that the two nations are not only inseparable neighbors, but also indispensable partners and key anchors of regional stability. However, the development of China-ROK ties has encountered the headwind of Washington's pressure on Seoul. The ROK should uphold its strategic autonomy in handling the regional situation.

Beijing remains committed to enhancing communication, deepening cooperation and expanding shared interests with Seoul to open up new prospects for China-ROK relations. It is good to see that Lee emphasized the importance of ties with Beijing and reaffirmed that the ROK upholds the one-China principle during an interview with Chinese media before visiting China.

It is notable that Lee's visit comes at a time when the geopolitical landscape of Northeast Asia is fraught with complexity and uncertainty, marked by the resurgence of militarism in Japan. In this context, the China-ROK relationship assumes even greater importance as both nations have a common interest in maintaining regional stability and fostering an environment conducive to peace and development. By strengthening their strategic partnership, China and the ROK can provide a stabilizing influence that extends beyond their bilateral ties, contributing positively to the regional order.

Despite occasional difficulties — notably during the ROK's previous government — the two countries have managed to keep their bilateral ties stable, sustainable and predictable most of the time since they established diplomatic ties in 1992, mainly thanks to the recognition that their economic complementarity and geopolitical realities necessitate cooperation. Their ability to navigate complex issues such as trade disputes and security concerns, with a focus on long-term gains, has enabled them to keep bilateral relations on a generally stable track.

The fact that despite differences between them, China and the ROK have managed to cultivate a partnership marked by mutual benefit and shared prosperity over the past more than three decades points to the robustness of their economic cooperation, the vitality of their cultural exchanges, and their mutual understanding of the importance of regional stability.

The two economies are intertwined across industry and supply chains — including semiconductors — China has been the ROK's largest trading partner for more than 20 years. According to China's General Administration of Customs, the bilateral trade volume reached $298.9 billion during the January-November period last year. The implementation of the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2015, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership have further broadened opportunities for their cooperation.

That Lee is being accompanied by a huge delegation of business and tech leaders reflects the ROK's willingness to further tap into the potential in economic cooperation. This presents opportunities for the two economies to strengthen practical collaboration. To that end, they need to work together to give advantage to their complementary strengths and seek shared progress amid the artificial intelligence industrial revolution.

As well as economic cooperation, the two sides are expected to discuss further developing cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Such exchanges help foster mutual understanding and goodwill, mitigate potential tensions and build a reservoir of trust that can be drawn upon in times of diplomatic friction. That said, it is imperative that China and the ROK join hands and strengthen their partnership to navigate the challenges they face and capitalize on the opportunities for cooperation.