Lee Jae-myung Arrives in Beijing for Four-Day Visit, Meets Xi Jinping for Second Time in Two Months | WPN World People News

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Beijing on the 4th to begin a four-day visit to China, marking the first visit by a South Korean president since 2019. On the 5th, Lee is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, attend a business forum, and hold talks with Premier Li Qiang, before traveling to Shanghai on the 6th.

More than 200 leading South Korean business figures are accompanying the delegation, including Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun. Discussions are expected to cover supply chain investment, the digital economy, and cultural exchanges.

According to reports, the Lee–Xi meeting will focus on trade, economic cooperation, and security issues, with Seoul hoping Beijing will play a stabilizing role amid rising regional tensions. Analysts note that recent U.S. military action against Venezuela, North Korea’s renewed missile tests, and heightened China–Japan friction over a potential Taiwan contingency have made the geopolitical environment more sensitive. This will be the second meeting between Lee and Xi within two months, signaling Beijing’s intent to strengthen economic cooperation and tourism exchanges with South Korea.

The trip is also Lee’s first visit to China since taking office in June last year, coinciding with a period of heightened global tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed U.S. strikes on Venezuela and North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles on the 4th. Analysts suggest that amid strained China–Japan relations, Beijing may be more inclined to deepen engagement with Seoul to keep supply chains running smoothly.

Markets are closely watching three key issues from the Xi–Lee talks: whether South Korea will propose concrete measures to narrow its trade deficit with China, how both sides will manage sensitive issues such as North Korea and Taiwan, and Washington’s response. Whether Beijing will ease restrictions on South Korean content and tourism has also drawn attention, as Seoul adopts a more cautious diplomatic strategy while balancing its ties with the United States and Japan.