South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will make a state visit to China from Jan 4 to 7, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, as Seoul seeks to

sustain momentum in restoring strained bilateral relations, South Korea’s presidential office said on Tuesday.

The trip will be Lee’s first visit to China since taking office in June. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said the leaders are expected to discuss ways to deliver concrete outcomes in areas including supply chains and regional geopolitical issues. China’s Foreign Ministry separately confirmed the visit.

Lee’s visit follows a recent summit in South Korea, Xi’s first trip to the country in 11 years, during which Lee asked for China’s support in reviving dialogue with North Korea. Pyongyang has rejected outreach efforts from Seoul, while China remains North Korea’s key ally and economic lifeline.

China is South Korea’s largest trading partner, accounting for about 20% of its total trade, and Seoul views Beijing as a critical player in stabilising global supply chains. However, South Korea has raised concerns over China’s export controls on rare earths, which are vital to industries ranging from electric vehicles to petrochemicals.

During the visit, Lee will also travel to Shanghai, China’s commercial hub, and attend events aimed at strengthening cooperation in areas such as start-ups and innovation, Kang said.

“China and South Korea are important neighbours and partners,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular briefing. “We hope this visit will play a positive role in advancing the bilateral strategic partnership under the guidance of the two heads of state.”

Analysts say Lee is seeking to strike a balance between South Korea’s security alliance with the United States and its deep economic ties with China.

“The Lee Jae Myung administration is trying to find a new equilibrium between maintaining the US alliance and developing relations with China,” said Cheong Seong-chang, vice president of the Sejong Institute, a Seoul-based think tank. He added that cooperation in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence could be discussed.

Another sensitive issue remains China’s effective ban on South Korean cultural content, including K-pop, imposed after South Korea deployed a US-led missile defence system in 2017. During their previous meeting, Lee and Xi agreed to continue working-level discussions on cultural exchanges, South Korean officials have said. Photo by Republic of Korea from Seoul, Republic of Korea, Wikimedia commons.