What Lee Jae Myung’s China visit signals for Asia’s future

0 January 7, 2026 10:48

President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung has made a high-profile visit to China, the first by a ROK leader since 2017. Beijing says the trip advances the China–ROK strategic cooperative partnership, while Lee has called the restoration of ties his government’s "greatest accomplishment" so far. For decades, Seoul has balanced U.S. security alignment with deep economic ties to China. Since taking office last June, Lee has begun questioning that long-standing formula, and this China visit suggests the rethink has gone further. What does this signal for the future of China–ROK relations, and what lessons does it hold for countries navigating intensifying great-power competition? Watch for an in-depth breakdown.
#ChinaROKRelations #SouthKorea #LeeJaeMyung #USChina #AsiaPacific #CGTN #ThePoint #LiuXin

Guests of this edition are Robert Kelly, professor of Political Science with Pusan National University; K.J. Noh, journalist, geopolitical analyst and author, laureate of Serena Shim Award for Uncompromised Integrity in Journalism; and Rong Ying, senior research fellow at China Institute of International Studies.

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