Economic dependence and regional security drive Beijing talks
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday as Seoul seeks to stabilize relations with its largest trading partner amid rising regional tensions.
The meeting, held in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, is the second summit between the two leaders since November and marks the first official visit by a South Korean president to China since 2019.
Trade concerns and political leverage
China remains South Korea’s most important economic partner, and analysts say Lee is looking for assurances that Beijing will not use trade as leverage during periods of political friction. The talks come as diplomatic tensions rise in East Asia, particularly surrounding China’s claims over Taiwan.
Recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about potential military action in response to a Chinese attack on Taiwan have escalated regional rhetoric, placing South Korea in a delicate position between its U.S. alliance and economic ties with China.
Balancing Washington, Beijing and Tokyo
Like Japan, South Korea is a close ally of the United States, which supports Taiwan and supplies arms for its defense. Lee’s visit to Beijing is seen as an attempt to maintain strategic balance while avoiding further deterioration in relations with China.
Lee is expected to meet with Premier Li Qiang and parliamentary leader Zhao Leji during his visit before traveling to Shanghai. He has described the trip as an opportunity to restore and upgrade bilateral relations.
North Korea and regional stability
Security on the Korean Peninsula is also high on the agenda. Lee has sought renewed diplomatic engagement with North Korea and views China as a key player in encouraging Pyongyang to curb its nuclear ambitions.
The talks follow recent missile launches by North Korea, including tests of hypersonic weapons, underscoring the urgency of regional cooperation.
Cultural restrictions and maritime disputes
Lee is also expected to press Beijing to ease long-standing restrictions on South Korean pop culture, including K-pop and television dramas, which have been largely inaccessible in China for nearly a decade.
Additionally, South Korea has raised concerns over China’s construction of maritime structures in disputed waters. While Beijing says the installations are for fishing purposes, Seoul views them as a potential security risk.
As Lee continues to walk a diplomatic tightrope between major powers, the outcome of his Beijing visit could shape South Korea’s regional posture in the months ahead.