Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a significant three-day state visit to South Korea on November 1, 2025, marking his first such visit to the nation in 11 years. The visit, which commenced on October 30, centered around the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in Gyeongju and included bilateral discussions with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on critical issues such as trade and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
High-Level Bilateral Discussions
President Xi Jinping's itinerary included a state visit to South Korea, following an invitation from President Lee Jae Myung. The two leaders engaged in comprehensive talks on November 1, covering a range of topics aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. Discussions focused on the Korean Peninsula issue, raw material supply chains, advanced technology exchanges, market openings, and fostering greater people-to-people exchanges. President Lee Jae Myung's office confirmed that the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was a key agenda item during their meeting.
APEC Summit in Gyeongju
The state visit coincided with the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, hosted in Gyeongju from October 31 to November 1. During the summit, President Xi Jinping delivered remarks emphasizing China's commitment to supporting global free trade and ensuring supply chain stability. The APEC leaders concluded the forum by adopting a joint declaration, known as the 2025 APEC Leaders' Gyeongju Declaration, alongside other outcome documents such as the APEC Artificial Intelligence Initiative and the APEC Framework for Cooperation on Population Structure Changes.
Significant Meeting with US President Trump
A notable event during President Xi's visit was his meeting with US President Donald Trump on October 30 in Busan, prior to the main APEC summit. The two leaders engaged in high-stakes talks that resulted in an agreement for a temporary truce in their trade war. This agreement included commitments such as lower US tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijing's crackdown on illicit fentanyl trade, the resumption of US soybean purchases, and continued flow of rare earths exports. President Trump departed South Korea shortly after this meeting, allowing President Xi to take a more central role at the APEC proceedings.
Denuclearization Efforts and North Korean Response
The discussions between President Xi and President Lee regarding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula were met with a strong reaction from North Korea. Pyongyang, a non-APEC member, dismissed the denuclearization agenda as an 'unrealisable pipe dream.' This stance from North Korea underscored the ongoing challenges in achieving peace and stability in the region, despite the diplomatic efforts of South Korea and China.
5 Comments
Donatello
Focusing on advanced technology exchanges and market openings is essential for economic growth, but concerns about intellectual property theft and unfair market access still need to be addressed.
Michelangelo
Any discussion on Korean Peninsula denuclearization is a positive step in the right direction.
Leonardo
It's good to see APEC leaders discussing global free trade and supply chain stability, but real progress depends on all nations, including China, upholding fair practices consistently.
Michelangelo
Great to see progress on the trade war! This benefits everyone involved.
Leonardo
Strengthening South Korea-China relations is strategically significant for the region, though Seoul must carefully navigate its position between Beijing and Washington's competing interests.