▲ President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Jan. 8, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Lee-senior aides

Lee says China visit cemented foundation for full restoration of ties with Beijing

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday his visit to China this week has cemented a foundation for the full restoration of relations with Beijing.

Lee made the remarks during a meeting with senior aides a day after returning from his four-day state visit to China for his second summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in two months.

"The visit laid a solid foundation for the full restoration of Korea-China relations, and paved the way for increased exchanges and cooperation in economic and cultural sectors," he said during the meeting at Cheong Wa Dae.

Lee's state visit came amid China's tension with Japan over Taiwan and a raid by U.S. troops that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

Without mentioning such international issues, Lee said he will maintain "pragmatic diplomacy."

"In a ruthless international order where there are no eternal enemies, friends or rules, the fate of the Republic of Korea hinges on pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests," he said, referring to South Korea's official name.

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