At the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in the Republic of Korea this week, trade between China and the ROK has emerged as a key driver for regional momentum. With both economies at the heart of Asia’s supply chains, bilateral exchange—from semiconductor wafers to new energy batteries—has surged to new heights.
Record Trade and Investment Flows
In 2024, total imports and exports between China and the ROK reached $272.91Â billion, up 2% year on year. Exports from the ROK to China jumped 6.6% to $133.04Â billion, while imports from China eased 2.1% to $139.87Â billion, according to the Republic of Korea Customs Agency.
Investment ties are likewise strengthening. ROK direct investment in China rose 2.1% year on year to $1.93 billion in 2024, bringing the cumulative total to $95.62 billion (Export-Import Bank of Korea). Meanwhile, China’s investment in the ROK leapt 266.1% to $5.786 billion, per the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Resources of the ROK.
Deepening Cooperation and FTA Talks
In April 2025, negotiators held the 11th round of talks on the second phase of the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement in Beijing, targeting key areas like service trade, investment, and finance. A successful outcome could unlock new opportunities in digital services and clean energy sectors.
Looking Ahead
At a recent trilateral summit in Seoul, the Chinese premier Li Qiang and ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol underscored the need to remain "friendly neighbors of mutual trust" and "partners in mutual achievement." As APEC economies chart their path forward, robust China-ROK ties will be essential in shaping the region’s trade architecture and sustainable growth story.
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Driving forces: Robust China-ROK trade ties power APEC forward
cgtn.com
