President Lee Visits Shanghai for Provisional Government Centennial and Korea‑China Startup Summit
Updated (2 articles)
Historic Commemoration Anchors Shanghai Leg of State Visit President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Shanghai on Jan. 6, the third day of a four‑day state visit, after flying from Beijing [1][2]. He will visit the former headquarters of Korea’s provisional government to mark its centennial and to honor the 150th birthday of independence leader Kim Koo [1][2]. The ceremonies link Seoul’s diplomatic outreach to Korea’s independence heritage and precede his scheduled return to South Korea later Wednesday [1][2].
Beijing Summit Set Diplomatic Tone for Shanghai Agenda Earlier in the trip, Lee held summit talks with President Xi Jinping and separate meetings with Premier Li Qiang and legislator Zhao Leji [1][2]. The discussions focused on expanding economic cooperation and reinforcing regional peace initiatives [1][2]. Those high‑level talks framed the Shanghai leg as a follow‑through on bilateral economic and security priorities [1][2].
Startup Summit Highlights Economic Cooperation In Shanghai, Lee attended the Korea‑China Venture Startup Summit, meeting venture‑capitalists and startup founders from both nations [1][2]. The event underscored a push for joint innovation and entrepreneurship as a pillar of the bilateral relationship [1][2]. Lee’s participation signaled Seoul’s intent to couple historical commemoration with forward‑looking economic collaboration [1][2].
Cultural Heritage Emphasized at Welcome Dinner Chen Jining, Shanghai’s municipal party secretary, hosted a welcome dinner for Lee, focusing on regional exchanges and the preservation of sites tied to Korea’s independence movement [1][2]. The dinner linked cultural‑heritage cooperation to the broader diplomatic agenda and highlighted Shanghai’s role in commemorating shared history [1][2]. Officials used the occasion to showcase heritage preservation alongside economic dialogue [1][2].
Visit Precedes High‑Profile Japan Summit Lee’s Shanghai activities are scheduled just before an anticipated summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi [1][2]. The sequencing suggests Seoul is managing back‑to‑back diplomatic engagements with both China and Japan, leveraging historical symbolism to support future regional talks [1][2]. The upcoming Japan meeting is positioned as a continuation of the diplomatic momentum generated in China [1][2].
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
Yonhap: President Lee visits Shanghai to mark provisional government site, attend startup summit – Provides a detailed itinerary, noting Lee’s arrival from Beijing, the Chen Jining‑hosted dinner, and his planned Wednesday return, emphasizing heritage‑focused events and schedule specifics .
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[2]
Yonhap: Lee arrives in Shanghai to mark provisional government site and attend Korea‑China startup summit – Highlights the dual nature of the visit—historic commemoration paired with a venture summit—and stresses the upcoming Japan‑Korea summit, framing the trip within broader regional diplomacy .
Timeline
Jan 5, 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung holds summit talks in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and top legislator Zhao Leji. The leaders discuss expanding economic cooperation and strengthening joint efforts to promote regional peace, setting the diplomatic tone for the next leg of Lee’s state visit [1][2].
Jan 6, 2026 – Lee arrives in Shanghai from Beijing, marking the third day of his four‑day state visit to China. The arrival follows his high‑level meetings in Beijing and signals Seoul’s continued diplomatic engagement with the Chinese capital [1][2].
Jan 6, 2026 – Shanghai Municipal Party Secretary Chen Jining hosts a welcome dinner for Lee, focusing on regional government exchanges and the protection of sites tied to Korea’s independence movement. The dinner frames Lee’s historic‑site visit as part of broader municipal cooperation on cultural preservation [1][2].
Jan 6, 2026 – Lee attends the Korea‑China Venture Startup Summit, meeting entrepreneurs and venture‑capital firms from both countries. The summit underscores a dual diplomatic push that pairs economic and innovation cooperation with the historical commemorations of the trip [1][2].
Jan 7, 2026 – Lee visits the Shanghai location that served as the headquarters of Korea’s provisional government during Japanese colonial rule, marking the centennial of its 1919 establishment. He also commemorates the 150th anniversary of independence leader Kim Koo’s birth (1876‑1949), linking contemporary diplomacy to Korea’s independence heritage [1][2].
Jan 7, 2026 – After completing the Shanghai program, Lee returns to South Korea later that day, ahead of an anticipated summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The sequencing highlights Seoul’s strategy of back‑to‑back high‑level engagements with both China and Japan while foregrounding historical reconciliation and economic partnership [1][2].