South Korean President Lee and Chinese President Xi Launch Summit, Promise Annual Talks, Defense Links, and North Korea Dialogue
Updated (5 articles)
Summit Launches at South Korean Presidential Office The bilateral summit opened at Cheong Wa Dae on January 5, 2026, with South Korean President Lee Jae‑myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting face‑to‑face to set the agenda for their renewed partnership [4].
Leaders Commit to Annual High‑Level Meetings Lee and Xi agreed to hold yearly summit‑level meetings, creating a predictable schedule for top‑level dialogue and signalling a long‑term diplomatic rhythm between Seoul and Beijing [3].
Defense Ministries to Expand Communication Channels Both sides pledged to broaden defense‑to‑defense communication, establishing regular information exchanges among military officials; details on formats or timelines were not disclosed [3].
Joint Initiatives Target North Korea Dialogue and Public Sentiment The leaders urged the resumption of talks with North Korea, emphasizing renewed diplomatic engagement, and announced a joint effort to counter negative sentiment about South Korea in China and about China in South Korea [1][2].
Sources (5 articles)
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[1]
Yonhap: Lee and Xi urge resumption of talks with North Korea, Cheong Wa Dae says: reports the summit’s opening and the leaders’ call to restart dialogue with Pyongyang .
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[2]
Yonhap: Lee and Xi agree on joint efforts to address negative sentiment toward South Korea and China, Cheong Wa Dae says: details the mutual commitment to improve public perception in each country, without specifying concrete actions .
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[3]
Yonhap: Lee and Xi pledge annual meetings, expand defense communication, Cheong Wa Dae says: outlines the agreement on yearly summits and the expansion of defense ministry communication channels .
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[4]
Yonhap: Lee and Xi begin summit talks at Cheong Wa Dae: confirms the summit’s start at the South Korean presidential residence on January 5 .
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[5]
Yonhap: Lee and Xi plan Monday summit in Beijing: notes the prior announcement that the leaders would meet in Beijing on the preceding Monday, framing the event as a high‑level bilateral engagement .
Timeline
Jan 2, 2026 – South Korean President Lee Jae‑myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping schedule a bilateral summit in Beijing for the following Monday, a move announced by Cheong Wa Dae and reported by Yonhap News Agency. The planned meeting signals a rapid escalation of high‑level dialogue between Seoul and Beijing after weeks of diplomatic coordination. It sets the stage for a series of joint statements that follow in early January. [5]
Jan 5, 2026 – Lee and Xi kick off their summit talks at Cheong Wa Dae, the South Korean presidential residence, marking the first in‑person summit of the year between the two leaders. The opening of the talks underscores the priority both capitals place on strengthening bilateral ties amid regional security challenges. The summit provides a platform for a cascade of agreements announced later that day. [4]
Jan 5, 2026 – Lee and Xi commit to holding annual meetings and to expanding defense‑minister and military‑official communication channels, institutionalizing a predictable cadence of high‑level security dialogue. By broadening defense exchanges, the leaders aim to improve real‑time information sharing on regional threats and to build mutual confidence between their armed forces. This pledge deepens the strategic dimension of the Seoul‑Beijing partnership. [3]
Jan 5, 2026 – Lee and Xi agree to cooperate on countering negative sentiment about South Korea in China and about China in South Korea, a joint effort intended to shape public opinion and soften diplomatic frictions. The commitment reflects an acknowledgment that soft‑power perceptions influence the overall health of bilateral relations, even though specific actions remain undisclosed. It adds a public‑diplomacy layer to the summit’s security and political agenda. [2]
Jan 5, 2026 – Lee and Xi urge the resumption of talks with North Korea, positioning renewed dialogue with Pyongyang as a diplomatic priority for both Seoul and Beijing. The call highlights the leaders’ shared interest in stabilizing the Korean Peninsula and reducing the risk of escalation, especially as regional security dynamics evolve. It demonstrates how the summit leverages the South‑China partnership to address broader Northeast Asian challenges. [1]