Mon Jan 05 09:50:19 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article based on it:
Summary:
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is in Beijing for an official visit, the first by a South Korean leader in six years. He met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss strengthening economic ties and addressing North Korea’s recent missile launches. The visit follows a period of tension and comes shortly after China conducted military drills near Taiwan. Lee is balancing relations between China, South Korea’s top trading partner, and the United States, its chief defense guarantor, and has affirmed South Korea’s commitment to the “one-China” principle. He also hopes to garner China’s support in improving ties with North Korea. The visit includes meetings with business leaders from both countries to discuss expanding economic cooperation.
News Article:
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung Meets Xi Jinping in Beijing Amid Regional Tensions
BEIJING – South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, January 5, 2026, marking the first visit by a South Korean leader in six years. The meeting focused on strengthening economic cooperation and addressing concerns over North Korea’s recent ballistic missile launches.
Lee’s visit comes at a critical time for regional stability, following China’s large-scale military exercises near Taiwan and escalating tensions in the Korean Peninsula. Hours before the meeting, North Korea launched two hypersonic missiles, declaring its nuclear forces were ready for war.
President Lee emphasized the importance of a mutually beneficial trade relationship between South Korea and China, which is South Korea’s largest trading partner. He also highlighted the potential for China to play a key role in fostering peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula.
The South Korean delegation includes prominent business leaders such as Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group’s executive chair Chung Eui-sun, indicating a strong focus on deepening economic ties. President Lee met with top executives from both South Korean and Chinese firms, including representatives from battery giant CATL, phone maker ZTE, and tech giant Tencent.
In a delicate balancing act between China and the United States, its chief defense guarantor, President Lee reaffirmed South Korea’s adherence to the “one-China” principle.
The meeting between Lee and Xi follows a previous encounter on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Gyeongju last November, which both sides framed as a reset of relations after a period of tension.
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