Gyeongju, South Korea – In a significant diplomatic engagement marking a commitment to regional stability, Chinese President Xi Jinping held extensive talks with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Gyeongju on Saturday, November 1, 2025, with the focus squarely on ensuring the "steady and long-term development" of their strategic cooperative partnership. The meeting, which followed South Korea's hosting of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, underscored the mutual recognition by both Asian powers of their intertwined economic fates and shared interest in regional peace.
Deepening Strategic Cooperation Amidst Global Currents
The discussions between the two leaders highlighted the enduring importance of the China-South Korea relationship, which spans 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. President Xi Jinping emphasized that despite differences in social systems and ideologies, the two nations have achieved "mutual success and common prosperity" through broad-based cooperation. This sentiment suggests a mutual desire to prioritize pragmatic engagement over ideological divergence in the current complex geopolitical environment.
President Xi put forth a four-point proposal aimed at charting the future course of bilateral relations. The core tenets focused on bolstering strategic communication to solidify mutual trust, urging both sides to approach the relationship with a long-term perspective that seeks common ground while respectfully shelving differences. This diplomatic framework is crucial for managing potential friction points and ensuring predictable interactions between the two major economies.
Focus on Economic Ties and APEC Transition
A key element of the dialogue was the acknowledgment of the ongoing transition in regional economic leadership, with South Korea having just concluded its term hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. China congratulated South Korea on the successful hosting of the event. As China prepares to take the reins for the 2026 APEC meeting, President Xi expressed willingness to work closely with member economies to advance the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific and enhance regional economic integration.
Furthermore, the leaders addressed the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation, advocating for the practice of "true multilateralism" and the safeguarding of the multilateral trading system to foster a more just and equitable global governance structure. This shared stance on international economic order suggests a potential alignment on key global trade principles.
Bridging People-to-People Divides
Recognizing that solid bilateral ties require a strong foundation among their citizens, the leaders also dedicated attention to enhancing cultural and people-to-people exchanges. President Lee Jae-myung conveyed South Korea's readiness to intensify these exchanges to strengthen the bond between the two peoples. President Xi specifically called for improved communication through media and the general public to disseminate positive messages and counteract any narratives that might negatively affect the relationship. This push for deeper mutual understanding aims to consolidate the popular base supporting the strategic partnership.
Looking Ahead: Peace and Regional Stability
The summit concluded with both nations committing to joint efforts in international and regional affairs to promote peace and development. For South Korea, this included expressing support for China’s upcoming APEC chairmanship. The high-level meeting between President Xi and President Lee serves as a clear signal to the international community that despite external pressures, Beijing and Seoul are intent on maintaining a constructive and stable relationship, offering a measure of predictability to the broader East Asian security and economic landscape.
The commitment to continuous dialogue and mutual respect, as articulated in Gyeongju, positions the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership as a vital anchor in the evolving dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region.