South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, accompanied by first lady Kim Hea-kyung, arrives in Beijing on January 4, 2026, for a state visit to China. Photo: Screenshot from CCTV

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a state visit to China from Sunday to Wednesday, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday. 

Prior to his visit, Lee had a nearly 20-minute interview on the program Leaders Talk at Cheong Wa-dae, which aired on Friday, during which he shared his expectations for his first visit to China, his views on trade development and bilateral relations, the current South Korean government's stance on the Taiwan question, and its approach to pragmatic diplomacy, according to China Central Television. 

The four-day state visit marks Lee's first to China since taking office in June last year and the first trip by a South Korean president there since 2019, according to Yonhap. 

Lee departed from Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, in the afternoon, accompanied by first lady Kim Hea-kyung, to Beijing. Those who saw him off included Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae, Yun Ho-jung Minister of the Interior and Safety, Kang Hoon-sik Chief of Staff, Woo Sang-ho Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, Pang Kun acting Chinese ambassador to South Korea, and Kim Jin-a Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, local media The Chosun Daily reported on Sunday. 

The visit comes as South Korea seeks to stably manage its relations with China, a key partner in trade, tourism and peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula while also maintaining a strong alliance with the US under the Lee administration's "pragmatic" diplomatic approach, Yonhap reported. 

According to the report, accompanied by a large business delegation, he will also attend a Korea-China economic forum in Beijing on Monday to discuss expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, green energy, supply chains and tourism, among other areas. The two sides are expected to sign more than 10 memorandums of understanding for cooperation in various areas, according to his office.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Friday that Lee is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Sunday, and travel to Shanghai on Tuesday for a two-day stay there, during which he will visit the historic site that once served as the "Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea" during Japan's colonial rule, according to Yonhap. 

The two sides are expected to discuss practical cooperation in areas such as supply-chain investments, the digital economy, the environment and climate change, people-to-people exchanges, tourism and responses to transnational crimes, Wi said at a press conference.

Besides, more than 200 South Korean business leaders have formed an economic delegation accompanying Lee on his visit to China. The two sides are expected to discuss practical cooperation in areas including supply chain investment, the digital economy, environment and climate change, people-to-people exchanges, tourism, and combating transnational crime, China Central Television reported on Sunday. 

According to a report from local media Newsis News Agency on December 30, 2025, Kang Yoo-jung, spokesperson for the presidential office, said that "In Shanghai, marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of Kim Koo, also known as Baekbeom, and the 100th anniversary of the site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in 2026, the president will reflect on the historical significance. He will also engage in schedules to promote partnerships between South Korean and Chinese companies in the venture startup sector, which will lead future cooperation between the two countries."

Regarding Lee's upcoming trip, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on December 30, 2025, during a press briefing that China hopes that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, this visit will play a positive role in advancing the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership.

When asked about China's expectations for the visit, Lin said this will be President Lee's first visit to China after coming into office. China and South Korea are each other's important neighbor and cooperation partner. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, this visit is expected to play a positive role in advancing the China-South Korea ties, Lin said.

Global Times