Lee Jae-myung Xi Jinping Summit 2026: Restoring Economic Ties Amid Strategic Autonomy

They're shaking hands, but their calculators are running at full speed. President Lee Jae-myung met with Xi Jinping in Beijing on January 5, 2026, marking a significant turning point in East Asian diplomacy. As the first South Korean leader to pay a state visit to China since 2017, Lee's trip signals a "full-scale restoration" of bilateral relations that had been strained for nearly a decade.

Lee Jae-myung Xi Jinping Summit 2026 and Economic Resilience

Economic cooperation sat at the heart of the agenda. Lee was accompanied by a delegation of over 200 top executives from South Korea’s biggest conglomerates, including Samsung Electronics, SK Group, and Hyundai Motor Group. The two nations signed 15 agreements targeting tech, intellectual property, and transportation. Additionally, 9 MoUs were inked between companies like Alibaba and Shinsegae to secure supply chains for consumer goods.

This pragmatic approach comes even as Seoul maintains a $350 billion investment commitment to the U.S. industrial sector. By engaging Beijing in the digital economy and AI, Lee is executing a delicate dance to secure South Korea's strategic autonomy amid global uncertainties. It's a clear departure from the hardline stance of his predecessor, focusing instead on national interest over ideological alignment.

The Taiwan Question and North Korean Leverage

Geopolitics loomed large during the four-day visit. On the Taiwan issue, Lee reaffirmed respect for the "One China" policy, a move that starkly contrasts with Japan's recent military rhetoric under Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae. Beijing rewarded this softer stance with upgraded diplomatic protocol, sending the Minister of Science and Technology to greet Lee at the airport—a notable step up from previous receptions.

Regarding North Korea, both sides conspicuously avoided the phrase "denuclearization," opting instead to pledge efforts for "reducing tensions." This suggests a mutual recognition of current realities on the ground, where China seeks to maintain influence over Pyongyang while Seoul looks to Beijing as a vital mediator for future dialogue.