南韓元首訪中國大陸：經貿領軍、釋出修補關係訊號

南韓總統李在明展開為期四天訪華行程，並於1月5日在北京與中國國家主席習近平會談。這是李在明就任後首次訪中，雙方在區域局勢緊張之際，對外釋出「關係回暖、合作加速」的明確訊號。

此行以經貿為主軸。李在明率逾200名南韓企業人士隨行，峰會期間兩國簽署多項政府與企業合作文件，聚焦科技、供應鏈與新興產業，意在以務實合作重建互信。

在安全議題上，雙方也談及朝鮮半島局勢，確認恢復對話、降低緊張的重要性；但外界關注的文化交流限制等敏感問題，短期內仍可能難以完全鬆動。

South Korea’s leader visits mainland China, spotlighting trade and regional stability

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is in China on a four-day state visit that began Sunday (Jan. 4), culminating in a Beijing summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday (Jan. 5). The trip—Lee’s first visit to China since taking office last June—signals a push to stabilize and “fully restore” ties as regional tensions rise. 

Economic cooperation is the headline. Lee traveled with more than 200 business leaders from major conglomerates including Samsung, SK Group, and Hyundai. During the visit, Chinese and South Korean companies signed nine cooperation agreements, while the two governments also announced multiple cooperation documents across areas such as technology and other practical sectors. Lee emphasized expanding cooperation in AI, along with consumer industries such as beauty, food, and cultural content, and broader themes like supply-chain and digital-economy collaboration. 

Security issues are the second pillar. With North Korea’s recent missile activity adding pressure, both sides highlighted the need to resume dialogue and reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with China reiterating a willingness to play a constructive role. 

A sensitive undercurrent remains: South Korean officials have cautioned that China may still take time to ease its unofficial restrictions on Korean pop culture and content, despite renewed talk of people-to-people and cultural exchanges.