Xi’s Visit to South Korea Expected to Deepen Economic, Strategic Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to South Korea from October 30 to November 1 and attend the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju. The visit, his first to South Korea in 11 years, is widely expected to strengthen economic cooperation, enhance political trust, and expand people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

According to Xinhua, the trip will inject new momentum into the China–South Korea strategic cooperative partnership, with both sides sharing responsibilities for maintaining regional peace, supply chain stability, and economic integration.

Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1992, China and South Korea have become major trade partners, with bilateral trade reaching 328 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. Experts expect Xi’s visit to boost collaboration in technology, green industries, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy, while deepening cooperation under the China–South Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described the visit as a “strong signal for deepening relations,” while business leaders said it would boost investor confidence and expand opportunities for win-win cooperation.

Cultural and tourism exchanges have also flourished, aided by China’s visa-free policy for South Korean visitors introduced in 2024. Scholars say such people-to-people ties strengthen mutual understanding and the “spiritual connection” between the two nations.

Xi’s visit is seen as a pivotal moment to renew the long-standing friendship and steer China–South Korea relations toward greater stability, prosperity, and shared development.