President Lee Jae-myung on the 2nd, ahead of a state visit to China, described Chinese President Xi Jinping as "a very outstanding leader with a broad vision." In particular, saying that China already leads Korea in the technology realm, Lee also said Xi is "a leader who has carried out China's development as planned in a short period of time and is steering China stably even amid a complex international landscape."
In a Chinese state broadcaster CCTV interview that day, Lee said, "Every time I visited China, I saw with my own eyes how it was developing rapidly, like a completely different world," adding, "It swiftly transitioned to renewable energy, and now it dominates the world in the solar sector." Lee went on, "I believe President Xi has an exceptional ability to find opportunities in risk factors, concentrate national capabilities there to develop new technologies, and lead industrial development. There is room for this trend to continue going forward."
Lee added, "The impression I got when I met President Xi in person was 'a truly reliable neighbor,'" and said, "He is unexpectedly good at joking, and even when I played around with my phone, he received it very heartily." Lee also said, "People of the Republic of Korea have come to hold a very favorable view of President Xi Jinping's character. I think that is the future of Korea-China relations."
He also alluded indirectly to sensitive issues between the two countries. Lee said, "On the surface, there are difficulties now," adding, "But it benefits both countries to communicate and resolve the difficulties as they are, and to build a relationship of relying on and cooperating in areas that help each other. I believe President Xi has a very high level of understanding of such points." Although he did not cite specific issues, he appeared to be referring to the "West Sea structures" and the "Korean Wave restrictions" (Hanhanryeong).
According to Cheong Wa Dae, Lee will make a state visit to China from the 4th for four days and three nights. On the 5th in Beijing, Lee will hold a summit and attend a state banquet with President Xi Jinping. The next day, Lee will meet with the chair of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the equivalent of the Chinese parliamentary speaker, and is scheduled to have a luncheon with Premier Li Qiang, China's economic control tower. On the 7th, Lee will attend the Korea-China venture and startup summit to meet young entrepreneurs from both countries in the content, medical, and energy sectors.