Can China and South Korea reset complex ties after Xi-Lee summit?

Al JazeeraCenterEN 8 min read 100% complete by David D. LeeJanuary 6, 2026 at 12:23 PM

AI Summary

long article 8 min

Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held a summit in Beijing on Monday, January 6, 2026, during Lee's four-day visit, the first by a South Korean president to China since 2019. The meeting aimed to navigate complex relations amid regional tensions. South Korea relies on China as its largest economic partner and a key influence over North Korea, especially given recent North Korean missile tests. While South Korea needs strong ties with China, Beijing's relations with Seoul's allies, the U.S. and Japan, are strained, and the two countries have disagreements over Taiwan, trade, and maritime issues. The summit follows a previous meeting between the two leaders in Gyeongju in 2025.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Taiwan 30% Kim Jong Un 40% Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 40% United States 50% Japan ×260% North Korea ×270% Beijing ×370% Xi Jinping ×490% Lee Jae Myung ×590% South Korea ×9100% China ×9100%

Keywords

china-south korea relations 100% xi jinping 90% lee jae myung 90% summit 80% economic partner 70% north korea 60% regional security 60% geopolitical churn 60% trade tensions 50% asia pacific 40%