This visit is particularly significant due to its timing; it marks the second face-to-face meeting between Xi and Lee in a mere two months, following their discussion on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju last November. Such a compressed schedule for top-level summits is nearly unprecedented in the region and signals a deliberate effort by Beijing to pull Seoul closer into its orbit. Analysts suggest that by inviting Lee to China before his scheduled trip to Tokyo, President Xi is making a calculated move to prioritize South Korean relations and potentially dilute the trilateral security alignment between Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo.
The backdrop of this diplomatic flurry is a deepening crisis between Beijing and Tokyo. Relations plummeted to a historic low after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Japan could consider military action in the event of a Chinese offensive against Taiwan. China has responded with a flurry of retaliatory measures, including travel advisories and trade restrictions, while seeking to contrast Japan’s hawkish stance with a more cooperative partnership with South Korea.
President Lee Jae-myung, who took office in mid-2025, has signaled a clear pivot from the policies of his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol. While the previous administration emphasized a hardline alignment with the United States and Japan, the Lee government has prioritized “restoring” the vital economic link with Beijing. Wi Sung-lac, Lee’s top security adviser, indicated that the upcoming summit is expected to open a "new chapter" in bilateral ties. The two nations are reportedly finalizing more than ten agreements covering critical sectors such as the digital economy, climate change, and supply chain stability.
In a symbolic nod to their shared history of resistance against Japanese militarism, President Lee will also visit the historic site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai—a location used by Korean independence activists during Japan’s colonial rule. This itinerary serves as a subtle reminder of the historical grievances that continue to influence contemporary alliances in East Asia.
The summit represents a delicate balancing act for South Korea. As an industrial powerhouse deeply integrated into global supply chains, Seoul is attempting to safeguard its economic interests with its largest trading partner, China, without compromising its foundational security alliance with the United States. While no joint statement is expected, the sheer frequency of these high-level exchanges suggests that both Beijing and Seoul are eager to stabilize the region’s volatile dynamics and secure a "peace premium" for the coming year.
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