Lee Jae-myung Xi Jinping Summit 2026: Navigating Peace and 'Full Restoration' of Ties

They shook hands while missiles flew. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on January 5, 2026, just hours after North Korea launched ballistic missiles. Despite the provocation, the two leaders focused on a "viable" roadmap for peace and economic synergy.

Lee Jae-myung Xi Jinping Summit 2026 and 'Full Restoration'

During the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, President Lee expressed his ambition to make 2026 the year for the "full restoration" of Seoul-Beijing relations. He emphasized that bilateral cooperation is the "basic foundation for prosperity and growth." To mark the state visit, a 21-gun salute echoed through Tiananmen Square, signaling a high level of diplomatic courtesy from the Chinese side.

The summit comes as Lee's administration pursues a "pragmatic" diplomatic approach, attempting to stabilize ties with China—a critical partner in trade and tourism—while maintaining a robust alliance with the United States. This marks a shift from the previous administration's closer alignment with Washington, which had strained relations with Beijing.

Trade, Technology, and the Taiwan Question

Economic collaboration was a central theme, with Lee calling for expanded ties in artificial intelligence (AI), beauty, and cultural products. He aims to transform the strategic cooperative partnership into an "irreversible trend of the times" by focusing on sectors that directly impact citizens' daily lives.

Regarding the sensitive Taiwan issue, Lee reaffirmed Seoul's respect for the "One China" policy during an interview with CCTV. This diplomatic balancing act is particularly notable as Lee is reportedly arranging a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the coming weeks.