Lee Jae Myung 2026 China State Visit: Reaffirming the ‘One China’ Policy

The diplomatic tightrope in Northeast Asia just got a lot more visible. President Lee Jae Myung declared on January 2, 2026, that South Korea’s respect for the "One China" policy remains unchanged. This statement comes just days before his highly anticipated state visit to Beijing, arriving at a time when tensions between China and Taiwan have spiked following new military drills in the region.

Navigating Cross-Strait Tensions and 1992 Principles

During an interview with China's CCTV, President Lee emphasized that peace and stability in Northeast Asia are paramount. He noted that the principles established in 1992 during the normalization of diplomatic ties still serve as the "core guidelines" for Seoul and Beijing. According to Yonhap, this clear stance aims to manage relations with China responsibly while Washington continues its security commitments to Taipei.

Strategic Autonomy: AI and Economic Interests

It’s not just about politics; it’s about the future of tech. Accompanying Lee is a massive economic delegation focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Lee argues that while security cooperation with the U.S. is "unavoidable," sparking conflict with China would be detrimental to national interests. He’s pushing for a "pragmatic" approach, proposing annual meetings with Xi Jinping to ensure consistent communication.