Park Byeong-seug, former speaker of South Korea's National Assembly, leads a presidential delegation departing for China at Incheon International Airport on August 24, 2025. The delegation includes Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Tae-nyeon and Park Jeung, and Roh Jae-hun, son of former President Roh Tae-woo. Photo: VCG

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, met with South Korean presidential envoy and former National Assembly speaker Park Byeong-seug in Beijing on Sunday, according to a CGTN social media post. 

The delegation, dispatched by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, arrived in Beijing on Sunday, coinciding with the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Chinese observer said the visit comes at a critical time for China-South Korea relations, signaling Seoul's focus on ties with China, though further concrete steps are needed to ensure a stable development path for the relationship.

Yonhap News Agency reported previously that South Korean president Lee Jae-myung would send a group of special envoys to China on Sunday to discuss ways to improve bilateral relations, citing the presidential office.

The delegation, led by former National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug, will make a four-day visit, carrying a personal letter from Lee, South Korean presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung told reporters. Ruling Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Tae-nyeon and Park Jeung, as well as Roh Jae-hun, son of former President Roh Tae-woo, will also join the delegation, according to Yonhap.

Marking the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Korea, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing welcomed the delegation of special envoys from South Korea on his X on Sunday as they set off for a visit to China on this commemorative occasion.

"Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Korea. In recent days, many South Korean friendship groups and individuals have extended congratulations to our embassy through letters and flower baskets," the Chinese ambassador said on X. 

Coinciding with this special day, he warmly welcomes the delegation's visit on this commemorative occasion.

Dai said that under the new circumstances, both sides should revisit and uphold the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic ties, renew mutual understanding in step with the times, and advance cooperation based on mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

"Following the establishment of the new South Korean government, China-South Korea relations have gotten off to a good start. We are ready to work together with South Korea to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and to push the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership to new heights," he said.

The special envoys are tasked with delivering President Lee's message regarding the future direction of Korea-China relations and ways to promote mutual goodwill between the two countries, per Yonhap.

They will convey the Korean government's commitment to advance the "strategic cooperative partnership" with China and discuss ways to expand cooperation in such areas as the economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges, the report said.

Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that China-South Korea relations are now at a critical moment of stabilization and recovery. Since taking office, Lee has signaled a shift away from the pro-US foreign policy in the previous Yoon Suk-yeol administration, showing greater emphasis on ties with China.

To promote bilateral relations back to a stable and healthy path, South Korea still needs to take concrete measures, especially handling sensitive issues such as the Taiwan question and the South China Sea with caution, curbing anti-China manipulation by far-right forces at home, and working with China to advance economic, trade, and cultural exchanges, the expert noted.

The envoys' visit to China takes place while Lee is visiting Tokyo on Saturday and Sunday followed by a visit to Washington for summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and US President Donald Trump, The Korea Herald reported.

Lee's visits to Japan and the US, along with sending a special envoy delegation to China, reflect pragmatic diplomacy and efforts to balance major powers while making clear that China will not be neglected, Xiang added. 

However, relying on a tightrope strategy between China and the US is difficult to sustain. South Korea should return to the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic ties 33 years ago, adopt a correct view of China's development, enhance strategic autonomy, and take practical steps to strengthen strategic trust and improve people-to-people exchanges, the expert said.

When asked about China 's comment on growing its relations with South Korea, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that over the past 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the comprehensive and rapid growth of bilateral relations demonstrates that a sound, stable and deepening China-ROK relationship is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and beyond. 

"China stands ready to work with the ROK to cherish the commitment made when establishing diplomatic ties, uphold good neighborliness and the friendly ties, work for mutual benefit, and elevate the strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level to deliver more tangibly for the two peoples," Mao added.