Xi, Lee Jae-myung call for deeper China–South Korea cooperation
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In their first call, Xi and Lee discuss APEC, regional security, and China’s role in stabilizing the Korean Peninsula amid shifting diplomatic alignments in East Asia.
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In this Aug. 2, 2019, file photo, a woman walks past an advertisement featuring Japanese and South Korean flags at a shop in Shin Okubo area in Tokyo. (AP)
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to deepen strategic cooperation and jointly safeguard global trade norms during their first official phone call, Chinese state media reported Tuesday. The exchange marks a significant early step in shaping the foreign policy direction of Lee’s new administration.
According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, Xi emphasized the importance of “injecting more certainty into regional and international situations” and strengthening what he described as the “strategic cooperative partnership” between the two countries. “A healthy, stable, and continuously deepening China–South Korea relationship aligns with the trend of the times,” Xi said.
He further highlighted the need for close coordination on trade and multilateral issues, calling on both nations to “jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade” and ensure the smooth operation of global and regional supply chains.
The call reflects Beijing’s interest in stabilizing and expanding economic and political ties with Seoul amid growing uncertainty across the Asia-Pacific, driven, in part, by Washington’s protectionist stance. Xi’s emphasis on multilateralism and supply chain resilience also signals China’s intent to rally regional partners around an alternative to US-dominated frameworks.
Xi framed the bilateral relationship as one that should “inject certainty” into the broader geopolitical environment, an implicit contrast to escalating global trade tensions spurred by US tariff regimes and security posturing in the Indo-Pacific.
Lee urges economic, cultural, and security cooperation
President Lee, who won last week’s snap election following a political crisis in Seoul, responded with a call for enhanced cooperation across economic, cultural, and security domains. A statement from his office noted that the South Korean leader “looked forward to promoting exchanges in a wide range of fields,” including people-to-people relations.
The conversation underscores Lee’s intention to shift Seoul’s diplomatic tone. While former President Yoon Suk Yeol prioritized ties with Washington and Tokyo, Lee has hinted at a more independent posture, particularly as South Korea seeks to shield its economy from the fallout of US trade restrictions.
Lee invites Xi to attend APEC
Lee also extended a formal invitation for Xi to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit this November in Gyeongju. He expressed hopes that the gathering would offer an opportunity for “in-depth discussions” on bilateral ties and broader regional challenges.
Regional security was also addressed in the call. Lee urged China to play “a constructive role in promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” a nod to Beijing’s leverage over the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Lee’s administration marks a potential realignment in South Korea’s foreign policy. On the campaign trail, he criticized the confrontational stance of his predecessor and advocated for a more balanced regional approach. His remarks on Taiwan, suggesting that any future conflict would not involve South Korea, sparked debate but also underscored a desire to avoid being drawn into US-led strategic confrontations.
The call between Xi and Lee, while diplomatic in tone, hints at growing momentum for greater China–South Korea coordination, particularly as Washington’s controversial economic policies continue to rattle global supply chains.
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