South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung has prioritized restoring and expanding strategic cooperation with China since taking office in 2025, focusing on economic agreements, technology ties, and coordination on North Korea dialogue. Xi Jinping and Lee held a bilateral summit in Beijing in January 2026, signing 15 cooperation documents on trade, innovation, and environment during Lee's state visit, following an earlier 2025 sidelines meeting at APEC. Both leaders have emphasized mutual respect for core interests, supply-chain stability, and regional stability in Northeast Asia. Ongoing multilateral events, including the October 2026 APEC summit in South Korea, provide additional venues for potential high-level engagement amid Seoul's efforts to balance relations with Beijing and Washington. Trader assessments reflect these diplomatic patterns and scheduled forums.