Communication between China and South Korea continues to progress smoothly. It is increasingly likely that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Chinese Premier Li Qiang will meet for a bilateral discussion at the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in Laos this October. This would mark their first face-to-face meeting in five months.
Following the May South Korea-China-Japan summit, where Yoon and Li agreed to strengthen communication, both countries have accelerated their follow-up actions by resuming high-level exchanges.
In June, South Korea and China elevated their 2+2 diplomatic and security dialogue from a director-level to a deputy minister-level discussion. This dialogue involves both countries’ foreign and defense ministries. Following this upgrade, a strategic dialogue between the deputy foreign ministers of South Korea and China was held on July 24. This was followed by a meeting of the foreign ministers on July 26, alongside the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
At the provincial level, communication has remained active with visits from the Party Secretaries of Liaoning Province in April, Jiangsu Province in June, and the Deputy Secretary of Gansu Province earlier this month.
Private sector engagement is also gaining momentum.
Yesterday, the launch ceremony for the 2024 South Korea-China Youth Exchange Korean Delegation marked the resumption of the youth exchange program between the two countries after five years. The 50 South Korean youths selected for this delegation will visit China to participate in various activities, including meetings with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local cultural experiences to enhance mutual understanding and foster friendship between the youth of both countries.
Given this positive trend, recent political and diplomatic tensions between South Korea and China appear to have eased.
Last year, relations were strained due to conflicts over COVID-19 prevention measures, Yoon’s controversial remarks regarding Taiwan, and former Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming’s so-called betting comment. This contrasts sharply with the current improved relations.
A South Korean government source noted, “The absence of any prominent conflicts indicates that relations between South Korea and China are running smoothly.”
In this context, both countries seem committed to maintaining momentum until they achieve their ultimate goal: securing a visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping to South Korea.
There is anticipation that South Korea and China will aim to facilitate Xi’s visit and hold a summit during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meeting in Gyeongju next November, marking the peak of their cooperation.
The opportunity for bilateral meetings is expected to be actively utilized during the multilateral ASEAN summit in Laos this October.
China has traditionally sent its Premier rather than the President to ASEAN-related summits. Therefore, Yoon and Li are anticipated to meet again following their May encounter.
Some observers suggest there remains a possibility of a surprise bilateral meeting between Yoon and Xi at the APEC summit in Peru or the G20 summit in Brazil this November. Analysts also speculate that the outcomes of the ASEAN-related summit in Laos this October could influence the likelihood of such a summit in November.