Chinese President Xi Jinping may visit South Korea this year to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, according to a statement released Friday by the office of South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik.
During his meeting with Woo in Harbin, northeastern China, Xi mentioned that he is “seriously considering” attending the APEC summit, which is set to take place in Gyeongju, a city located about 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul, between late October and early November.
“It is customary for the Chinese president to attend the APEC summit,” Xi stated.
The 42-minute meeting took place as part of Woo’s visit to Harbin for the opening ceremony of the Asian Winter Games on Friday. This meeting marked the first time since 2014 that Xi has met with a South Korean parliamentary speaker.
During their conversation, Xi expressed his desire to “maintain stability” in relations between Seoul and Beijing, emphasizing that bilateral ties have been crucial for “peace and development” in the region. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening the strategic and cooperative partnership between the two countries amid growing global uncertainty, urging greater economic and trade cooperation.
Woo, for his part, called for closer collaboration in areas such as advanced technology and supply chains, as well as progress in negotiations to expand the free trade agreement (FTA) between China and South Korea.
Regarding the current political situation in South Korea, Xi expressed confidence that South Koreans have the “wisdom and ability” to overcome the crisis, referring to martial law and efforts to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. Woo reassured Xi that South Korea is handling the situation in accordance with its Constitution and laws, stressing that the country is not unstable.
The two leaders also discussed other issues, including China’s ban on South Korean cultural content and a project to recover the remains of Ahn Jung-geun, a renowned Korean independence activist from the colonial era. Woo emphasized the importance of fostering cultural exchanges between young people from both nations to strengthen bilateral relations.
Additionally, on Friday, Woo attended a luncheon hosted by Xi, which was also attended by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and other Asian leaders. During the event, he discussed the upcoming APEC summit and regional cooperation.
