SEOUL, January 2 (AJP) - Economic cooperation would be a key topic at President Lee Jae Myung's summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing next week.
During a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae on Friday, just days ahead of Lee's four-day trip to China starting Sunday, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said the two leaders will have "in-depth discussions to strengthen bilateral relations and come up with practical steps to address 'livelihood and peace' issues facing both countries."
The trip will be a South Korean leader's first state visit to China in nine years and comes about two months after Lee sat for talks with Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju in November, in what Cheong Wa Dae referred to as a reciprocal visit.
Wi highlighted that it is "unprecedented" for the two leaders to meet each other within just two months, saying it could open a "new chapter" in bilateral relations.
Lee is set to arrive in Beijing on Sunday and start his itinerary with a dinner with South Korean expats there. After attending a business forum the following day, he will hold a summit with Xi, which will include a welcoming ceremony and a banquet.
"South Korea and China share the common goal of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Wi said, stressing that the summit would yield fruitful outcomes along with practical solutions.
They are also expected to discuss various issues including China's veiled restrictions on South Korean films and dramas, and the installation of dubious structures on the submerged shelf of Ieodo in the West Sea, which overlaps with maritime zones of both South Korea and China.
After a series of talks and other events including a meeting with Premier Li Qiang, Lee will then move to Shanghai on Tuesday to attend a forum for startup entrepreneurs from both countries to foster partnership and promote future cooperation.
As the final leg of his trip, Lee will attend an event commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of independence fighter Kim Gu, who led the country's provisional government-in-exile in Shanghai, as well as the centennial of the provisional government's founding in 1919.
During a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae on Friday, just days ahead of Lee's four-day trip to China starting Sunday, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said the two leaders will have "in-depth discussions to strengthen bilateral relations and come up with practical steps to address 'livelihood and peace' issues facing both countries."
The trip will be a South Korean leader's first state visit to China in nine years and comes about two months after Lee sat for talks with Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the southeastern city of Gyeongju in November, in what Cheong Wa Dae referred to as a reciprocal visit.
Wi highlighted that it is "unprecedented" for the two leaders to meet each other within just two months, saying it could open a "new chapter" in bilateral relations.
Lee is set to arrive in Beijing on Sunday and start his itinerary with a dinner with South Korean expats there. After attending a business forum the following day, he will hold a summit with Xi, which will include a welcoming ceremony and a banquet.
"South Korea and China share the common goal of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Wi said, stressing that the summit would yield fruitful outcomes along with practical solutions.
They are also expected to discuss various issues including China's veiled restrictions on South Korean films and dramas, and the installation of dubious structures on the submerged shelf of Ieodo in the West Sea, which overlaps with maritime zones of both South Korea and China.
After a series of talks and other events including a meeting with Premier Li Qiang, Lee will then move to Shanghai on Tuesday to attend a forum for startup entrepreneurs from both countries to foster partnership and promote future cooperation.
As the final leg of his trip, Lee will attend an event commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of independence fighter Kim Gu, who led the country's provisional government-in-exile in Shanghai, as well as the centennial of the provisional government's founding in 1919.
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