China and South Korea held the 5th strategic dialogue on information communication technologies (ICT) on August 24, 2026 in Beijing. Photo: Screenshot from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

China and South Korea held the 5th strategic dialogue on information communication technologies (ICT) on Monday in Beijing, marking the resumption of the mechanism after eight years. 

The two sides held in-depth discussions on topics including the development direction of next-generation ICT, digital inclusion, and radio spectrum policy, according to a statement from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). 

During the dialogue, Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Lecheng said that the information and communication industries of the two countries are complementary in strengths, have a solid foundation for cooperation, and hold great potential.

He put forward three suggestions for future China-South Korea cooperation in the area, including improving long-term communication and exchange mechanisms, and exploring the establishment of exchange mechanisms for cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The two sides can also uphold international standards and digital rules, lead the direction of technological evolution, and explore and improve digital rules, along with deepening industrial cooperation and the sharing of outcomes, as well as conducting joint technological research, Li noted.

South Korean Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon said that the resumption of this meeting after an eight-year hiatus marks a new starting point for intergovernmental policy communication in the information and communication field between the two countries, according to the MIIT's statement.

Bae noted that the meeting has deepened mutual understanding of each other's policies in the area and created favorable conditions for enhancing mutual trust and building consensus. 

Both China and South Korea have listed as key policy priorities the cultivation of new drivers for future economic growth through digital technology innovation, the building of an inclusive environment that allows all people to share the benefits of digital development, and the consolidation of the foundation for innovation-driven development, he said.

The South Korean official expressed the hope that this dialogue would serve as an opportunity to promote the stable and regular operation of policy communication channels in the China-South Korea information and communication field.

Global Times