At dawn in Jeju, crates of fresh produce were loaded onto the inaugural Qingdao-Jeju container vessel, marking Jeju's first regular international shipping route. What once took two weeks now completes overnight, symbolizing a fresh beat in China-ROK cooperation.
Two weeks later, on November 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping and ROK President Lee Jae-myung met in Gyeongju to set the next phase of bilateral ties. Xi called the two nations "important close neighbors that cannot be moved apart and cooperation partners that cannot be separated," underlining the shared benefits of stable relations in a shifting global landscape.
Xi urged both sides to strengthen strategic communication, consolidate trust, and handle differences through friendly consultations. He advocated for upholding true multilateralism and a fairer global governance system – echoing a renewed commitment to dialogue.
High-level exchanges have already warmed relations: August's special delegation led by former National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug and September's visit by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun signaled Seoul's drive to restore a stable, constructive track.
Economic ties remain the backbone of the partnership. After 21 consecutive years as the ROK's top trading partner, China and the ROK saw bilateral trade hit $328.08 billion in 2024 – up 5.6 percent year on year. Leaders pledged to accelerate the second phase of the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement and explore cooperation in AI, biomedicine, green industries, and the silver economy.
People-to-people exchanges have surged since China introduced visa-free entry for ROK visitors last November and the ROK eased rules for Chinese group tourists this fall. ROK residents made nearly 2 million trips to China from January to August – a 40 percent year-on-year jump – a tangible sign of goodwill taking root.
As Xi said, "to help one's neighbor succeed is to help oneself." With faster trade links, higher-level dialogue, and thriving cultural exchanges, China and the ROK are writing a new chapter of collaboration – one built on mutual respect, shared interests, and the promise of a more connected future.
Reference(s):
How China, ROK leaders open new prospects for ties at Gyeongju meeting
cgtn.com
