Global Times asked a question regarding the significance of ROK President Lee Jae Myung’s first state visit to China and China’s expectations for the future development of China-ROK relations. In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry provided a detailed briefing outlining the importance of the visit and the outcomes achieved.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, ROK President Lee Jae Myung paid a state visit to China from January 4 to 7. This visit marked President Lee’s first state visit to China since taking office and has attracted extensive attention from both countries and the international community.

During the visit, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Lee Jae Myung. The two leaders exchanged New Year greetings and conducted in-depth discussions on the state of bilateral relations, as well as international and regional issues of common concern. According to the Chinese side, these discussions played a key role in charting the course for deepening the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership in the new period.

The two presidents reached important common understandings on several major issues. These include respecting each other’s core interests and major concerns, fostering greater synergy between their respective development strategies, strengthening policy coordination, and enhancing coordination on international and multilateral affairs. These understandings are seen as providing clear political guidance and strategic direction for the long-term and stable development of China-ROK relations.

In addition to the presidential talks, Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhao Leji also met separately with President Lee Jae Myung. These meetings further reflected the high level of importance China attaches to its relationship with the Republic of Korea and helped consolidate the outcomes of the state visit.

Mao Ning emphasized that China stands ready to work closely with the ROK to deliver on the important common understandings reached by the two presidents. China is willing to enhance communication and coordination with the ROK, deepen cooperation across various fields, expand areas of shared interest, and strive for more tangible outcomes. The Chinese side expressed the expectation that these efforts will bring concrete benefits to the peoples of both countries and inject new momentum into the development of China-ROK relations in the future.

Overall, the visit is viewed by China as a significant milestone that reinforces political mutual trust, strengthens strategic coordination, and lays a solid foundation for advancing the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership in a constructive and forward-looking manner.