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Xi Jinping Returns to South Korea After 11 Years for High-Stakes Summit

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping are meeting for their first summit talks. This marks Xi's first visit to South Korea in over a decade. The discussions will focus on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and regional stability. The meeting comes as Seoul navigates complex relationships with both China and the United States.

Key Points: Lee Jae Myung Xi Jinping Summit on Korean Denuclearization

  • First meeting between President Lee and Xi Jinping after 11-year gap in Chinese leader's visit
  • Denuclearization of Korean Peninsula tops summit agenda amid stalled talks since 2019
  • Seoul balances ties with China against close US alliance amid trade tensions
  • Economic cooperation features prominently despite recent retaliatory measures against Korean companies
2 min read

South Korea's Lee, China's Xi set for summit talks, with Seoul saying denuclearisation of Korean Peninsula on agenda

South Korean and Chinese leaders hold first summit talks with denuclearization agenda amid regional tensions and economic cooperation discussions at APEC meeting.

"The summit agenda will include discussions on the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, regional peace and stability, and economic issues - Kang Yu-jung"

Gyeongju, Nov 1

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold their first summit talks on Saturday, with Seoul saying the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula is on the agenda.

The two leaders will meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, marking Xi's first visit to South Korea in 11 years.

The talks come as Seoul strives to maintain a careful balance by improving ties with China, its largest trading partner and a traditional ally of North Korea, while keeping close alignment with the United States amid deepening great-power competition.

South Korean Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said on Friday that the summit agenda will include discussions on the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, regional peace and stability, and economic issues affecting people's livelihoods.

Under his "pragmatic diplomacy," Lee has pledged to pursue a more balanced and forward-looking framework for Seoul-Beijing relations, while emphasising China's importance as a regional partner, and its role in supporting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, Yonhap news agency reported.

Lee is expected to ask Beijing to play a constructive role in advancing peace efforts as Seoul works to ease inter-Korean tensions and revive denuclearization talks stalled since 2019.

Pyongyang has so far snubbed Lee's offers of dialogue and did not respond to US President Donald Trump's outreach for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his visit to South Korea.

Economic cooperation is also expected to feature prominently on the agenda.

Tensions have flared after Beijing last month announced retaliatory measures against five US subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean, accusing them of cooperating with a US investigation targeting China's maritime and shipbuilding industries.

The move raised concerns in Seoul, as the affected companies are expected to play a key role in helping the US rebuild its shipbuilding sector under a trade agreement reached between Seoul and Washington.

Saturday's talks follow Lee's summit with Trump on Wednesday, which resulted in the conclusion of a trade deal to lower US tariffs and led to US approval for nuclear fuel to be used in South Korea's nuclear-powered submarine project.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Denuclearization talks are crucial for regional peace. As someone who follows geopolitics closely, I think China holds the key to influencing North Korea. But will Beijing really pressure Pyongyang when it serves their strategic interests to keep the Korean peninsula divided?
R
Rohit P
The economic angle is interesting. South Korea trying to maintain trade relations with China while cooperating with US on shipbuilding. Reminds me of how Indian companies also have to navigate between different global powers. Tough position to be in!
S
Sarah B
While I appreciate the diplomatic efforts, I'm concerned that these summits often yield more photo opportunities than concrete results. The Korean nuclear issue has been dragging on for decades with little progress. Hope this time is different.
V
Vikram M
Good to see regional diplomacy in action. Stability in Northeast Asia benefits everyone, including India. The nuclear submarine project mentioned shows how security concerns are driving military modernization across Asia. Complex times we live in.
K
Kavya N
China's retaliatory measures against Korean companies working with US shows how economic ties are becoming weapons in geopolitical conflicts. Smaller nations like SK and India need to be careful not to get caught in great power competition. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳

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