President Lee Jae Myung from Jan. 4-7 will pay a state visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Shown are President Lee (right) on Nov. 1 with President Xi entering their state banquet at the grand ballroom of the hotel and resort Sono Calm in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Xu Aiying

President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing next week will hold a bilateral summit two months after their previous talks on Nov. 1 at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.

President Lee's spokesperson Kang Yu-jung on Dec. 30 told a news briefing in Seoul that President Lee from Jan. 4-7 will pay a state visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart.

From Jan. 4-6 in Beijing, President Lee will attend official events like talks with President Xi and a state banquet. He will then visit Shanghai from Jan. 6-7.

Spokesperson Kang said, "Both leaders will meet again two months after their previous talks at the Gyeongju APEC to solidify the momentum for comprehensive restoration of the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership, as well as discuss how to achieve tangible results to substantially contribute to the livelihoods of the people in both countries such as supply chains, investment, digital economy, responses to transnational crimes and the environment."

With 2026 marking the centennial anniversary of the headquarters of the Korean Provisional Government (KPG) in Shanghai and the 150th birthday of KPG head Kim Gu (Koo), events to mark both milestones will include one promoting corporate partnerships between both countries in the venture and startup sectors to lead future bilateral cooperation.

xuaiy@korea.kr