According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, on August 20, 2026, South Korean President Li Ji-ming met with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.
Lee Jae-myung stated that he received a warm welcome from President Xi Jinping during his visit to China in January this year. He wished to convey his gratitude and sincere regards to President Xi Jinping. He is delighted to see that relations between South Korea and China are improving rapidly. The economic and trade cooperation between the two countries is growing strongly, and it is expected that the number of mutual visits between citizens of both countries will exceed 10 million this year. The perception of Chinese people towards South Korea is constantly improving, and they have high expectations for stronger comprehensive cooperation with China. Under the current international circumstances, South Korea and China need each other in areas such as economics and security. Strengthening strategic cooperation between the two countries is in line with their fundamental interests and is also important for maintaining regional peace and stability. South Korea and China should become partners who rely on each other and complement each other. He looks forward to attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum Leaders' Informal Meeting in Shenzhen in November this year. He hopes that this will be an important opportunity to work with the Chinese side to promote the strategic partnership between South Korea and China to a higher level.
Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping's regards to President Li Zaiming. He noted that President Li made the right choice upon taking office, helping to restore China-Korea relations to a normal track. The mutual visits between the heads of state in both months have provided important political support for the improvement and development of bilateral relations, as well as strategic guidance for future prospects. The fact that China-Korea relations have fully recovered and shown positive progress since this year proves that a rational, pragmatic, and proactive policy towards China is entirely in line with South Korea's interests and the trends of the times. China is an important force in maintaining peace worldwide and has always advocated for resolving international and regional conflicts through dialogue and politics. China is also a prominent stabilizing factor in the world, providing valuable certainty to the world. Moreover, China will become the world's largest market and is willing to share development opportunities with other countries, especially neighboring nations. Embracing China means embracing the future; working with China means working with opportunities. It is hoped that South Korea will continue to pursue a friendly policy towards China. Taking this year, the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Korea as an opportunity, efforts should be made to further advance the strategic cooperative partnership between China and Korea, thereby contributing to the development of both countries and regional peace and prosperity. Currently, global economic fragmentation is intensifying, and trade protectionism is on the rise. China and Korea should play a leading role in this regard, complete the second phase of the free trade agreement as soon as possible, and take practical actions to promote regional economic integration and a inclusive economic globalization.
During the visit, Wang Yi held talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Sang-hwan, and also had a strategic dialogue with South Korea's National Security Advisor Yoo Seung-ho.
On August 20th, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted a regular press conference. A reporter asked whether there would be meetings between Chinese and Korean leaders during the APEC summit. Lin Jian stated that China is willing to take this year's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum Leaders' Informal Meeting as an opportunity to work together with parties including South Korea to build a community in the Asia-Pacific region, thereby injecting new momentum into peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and even the world. Regarding the specific issue you mentioned, we will release information at the appropriate time.
