Full restoration of S.Korea-China ties the greatest achievement, says ROK President during China visit
By Global Times Published: Jan 05, 2026 12:07 AM
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to China, said on Sunday during a gathering with Korean delegates, "While there have been various diplomatic achievements, the full restoration of South Korea-China relations, which had been in retreat for a long time, is the greatest achievement and a significant accomplishment." He also said that there remain boundless opportunities for cooperation, according to media reports.
According to the Korean Herald, Lee described his state visit would serve as a "significant milestone" in laying out a roadmap for the next 30 years of bilateral ties. Lee underscored the significance of launching this year's "practical diplomacy" with a four-day state visit to China.
Lee stated, "It has been over 30 years since South Korea and China established diplomatic relations." He added, "As neighboring countries, we have sometimes faced difficult periods, but through exchange and cooperation, we have achieved remarkable development," The Chosun Daily reported.
Acknowledging the twists and turns in bilateral ties since normalization of diplomatic relations in 1992, Lee pledged to "sustain the current positive momentum to ensure that such difficulties are never repeated." He further said the South Korean government would "do its utmost to strengthen communication and cooperation based on mutual respect and consideration between our two governments," the Korean Herald reported.
Lee also stressed the importance of economic cooperation with China. "Based on our respective comparative advantages, there remain boundless opportunities for cooperation — in renewable energy, biotechnology, the silver economy, and many other fields," Lee said, the Korean Herald reported.
Regarding Lee's upcoming trip, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on December 30, 2025, during a press briefing that China hopes that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, this visit will play a positive role in advancing the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership.
When asked about China's expectations for the visit, Lin said this will be President Lee's first visit to China after coming into office. China and South Korea are each other's important neighbor and cooperation partner. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, this visit is expected to play a positive role in advancing the China-South Korea ties, Lin said.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202601/1352266.shtml
