President Lee Jae-myung said at a luncheon meeting with Li Qiang, premier of the China State Council, on the 6th, "We will make this year the first year of a full restoration of Korea-China relations and seek to cement the development of Korea-China relations as an irreversible trend of the times." Li, second in China's power hierarchy after President Xi Jinping, is called the "commander of the Chinese economy."
On the morning of the third day of his state visit to China, President Lee met with Premier Li Qiang at Diaoyutai in Beijing and had lunch together. At the meeting, Lee said, "This state visit to China is the first state-level diplomatic schedule announcing the start of the byeongo year in 2026." He added, "I hope the two countries, keeping pace with the changes of the times, will expand horizontal and mutually beneficial cooperation, promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, and move together on the path of practicality and co-prosperity."
Lee went on, "President Xi Jinping of China and I agreed to further mature and develop the strategic cooperative partnership between Korea and China in a way that can contribute to people's livelihoods and peace," adding, "I expect the premier will continue to play a major role in developing Korea-China relations based on people's livelihoods and peace." Lee's state visit to China runs from the 4th to the 7th. The summit with Xi was held on the 5th.
Premier Li Qiang said, "President Lee Jae-myung places importance on relations with China and has repeatedly said that 'China and Korea are important cooperative partners to each other,'" adding, "I am willing to exchange candid views with you on issues of common interest." He also said, "Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Korea relations are showing a new look," adding, "As we continue to pursue cooperation in various fields, I believe it will surely bring more welfare to the peoples of both countries."
Li continued, "China has consistently placed relations with the Republic of Korea in an important position in its diplomacy with Korea." He added, "Together with the Korean side, we will uphold good-neighborliness and friendship, strengthen strategic communication, and solidify political mutual trust so that bilateral relations will develop forward along the right track."
Meanwhile, on the morning of the same day, Lee also met Zhao Leji, chairperson of the National People's Congress of China and No. 3 in the power hierarchy, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Lee said, "The role of the National People's Congress of China is more important than ever in developing bilateral relations," adding, "As an institution representing public opinion, it will make an important contribution to raising mutual understanding and expanding consensus by reflecting overall social perceptions and diverse voices between the two countries."
Chairperson Zhao Leji said, "Friendship and cooperation have consistently been the distinct background color of China-Korea relations," adding, "A stable and steadily deepening China-Korea relationship serves the interests of the peoples of both countries and is favorable to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world."
President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to China is the first in nine years since former President Moon Jae-in in 2017.