South Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived in China on Sunday for a four-day visit as Beijing seeks to strengthen ties with Seoul amid tensions over Taiwan. The trip is Lee’s first to China since taking office in June and follows strained relations between China and Japan after remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about military involvement if China acts against Taiwan.
China’s state news agency Xinhua said Lee landed in Beijing, where he will meet President Xi Jinping, marking their second meeting in two months. Ahead of the visit, Lee told state broadcaster CCTV that his government values relations with China and respects the One-China policy. He said bilateral ties depend on mutual respect and described Xi as a reliable neighbor.
China held military drills around Taiwan after US arms sales to the island. Lee said South Korea’s alliance with Washington should not lead to confrontation with Beijing.
