ROK President Lee Jae Myung Meets with Wang Yi

On August 20, 2026, President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung met with Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Blue House in Seoul.

Lee Jae Myung stated that during his visit to China in January this year, he received a warm reception from President Xi Jinping, and requested that his gratitude and sincere greetings be conveyed to President Xi Jinping. He is glad to see the ROK-China relations improving and developing rapidly, with strong growth momentum in economic and trade cooperation. The people-to-people exchanges between the two countries are expected to exceed 10 million this year. The ROK public perceptions of China are improving and there are growing expectations for strengthening comprehensive cooperation with China. Amid the current international situation, the ROK and China need each other in areas such as economy, trade, and security, and stronger strategic cooperation between the ROK and China serves the fundamental interests of both countries and is important for regional peace and stability. The ROK and China should become mutually dependent and mutually beneficial partners with complementary strengths. Lee Jae Myung said that he looks forward to visiting Shenzhen in November for this year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, calling it an important opportunity to work with China to advance the ROK-China strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level.

Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping’s greetings to President Lee Jae Myung, stating that since taking office, President Lee Jae Myung has made the right choice to steer the China-ROK relations back onto the normal track. The mutual visits between the two heads of state within just over two months have provided crucial political assurance for the improvement and development of bilateral relations, while also offering strategic guidance for future prospects. The comprehensive restoration of China-ROK relations and positive progress made since the beginning of this year have demonstrated that a rational, pragmatic and positive policy toward China fully serves the ROK’s interests and is in keeping with the trend of the times. As an important force for maintaining world peace, China consistently advocates the political settlement of international and regional conflicts through dialogue. China is also a major stabilizing force, providing valuable certainty for the world. Furthermore, China is poised to become the world’s largest market and stands ready to share development opportunities with all countries, especially its neighbors. Embracing China is embracing the future, and working alongside China is working alongside opportunities. China hopes that the ROK will firmly pursue a friendly policy toward China and take the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year as an opportunity to make greater progress in the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership, contributing to the development of both countries and regional peace and prosperity. Amid growing global economic fragmentation and rising trade protectionism, both China and the ROK should set an example by concluding the second phase of negotiations on the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement at an early date to promote regional economic integration and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

During the visit, Wang Yi also met with ROK Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, and held a strategic dialogue with ROK National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac.