South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung hosted a meeting with Xi Jinping, marking their first encounter as the Chinese leader took the spotlight at an Asian summit that saw the absence of U.S. President Donald Trump. The discussions occurred on the sidelines of the APEC summit, coinciding with the final day of Xi’s visit to South Korea after more than a decade and a day following a meeting with Canada’s prime minister to mend strained relations.
President Lee greeted Xi at an elaborate opening ceremony featuring soldiers in traditional attire. This visit marked Xi’s first trip to South Korea since 2014, aiming to address past tensions spanning trade and cultural differences.
During the meeting, Lee expressed his anticipation of meeting Xi in person and emphasized the significance of resetting bilateral relations. Xi reciprocated by highlighting China and South Korea as indispensable neighbors and intertwined partners. He stressed the importance of respecting each other’s unique societal paths and resolving conflicts through amicable consultations, as reported by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
Furthermore, Lee positioned China as a crucial ally in South Korea’s endeavors to improve relations with North Korea, with whom it maintains a longstanding armistice.