Elevating the China-ROK Strategic Cooperative Partnership

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Chinese President Xi Jinping's milestone state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK), the first time in 11 years, culminated in talks with  ROK President Lee Jae-myung on Saturday, with both pledging to strengthen ties.

The relationship between China and the ROK is one of the most consequential in Northeast Asia, a complex tapestry woven with threads of deep economic interdependence, vibrant cultural exchange, and shared history. Over the 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have transcended differences in ideology and social systems, advanced exchanges and cooperation across the board, and achieved mutual success and common development.

In 2024, their two-way trade reached 328.08 billion U.S. dollars, up by 5.6 percent year on year. China has been the ROK's largest trading partner for 21 years in a row, and the ROK is China's second largest trading partner. Since the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2015, trade and investment between the two countries has continuously grown. Today, the ROK's cosmetics and film and television products are lapped up by Chinese consumers while China's smart home appliances are among the bestsellers in the ROK market.

People-to-people and cultural exchanges have also provided a solid foundation for bilateral relations. In recent years, Fu Bao, the first panda born in the ROK to parents gifted by China, and her family at the Everland Resort in the city of Yongin in the ROK have become a symbol of the China-ROK friendship.

More and more young people in the ROK are keen to learn Chinese and travel to China. Chinese tourists continue to flock to Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju, and other major tourism destinations in the ROK. The story of heart-to-heart communication goes on.

Elevating this partnership is a strategic imperative for both nations and the wider region. For the ROK, a deeper partnership with China is essential for securing its economic future. As China moves into the next phase of its development, the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), its progress toward a modernized industrial system and higher-level opening up will provide abundant opportunities for supply chain partnerships with the ROK.

For China, a stable, cooperative relationship with the ROK is significant for its own development goals and for stabilizing Northeast Asia.

Furthermore, as major economies and technological powerhouses, China and the ROK have a shared responsibility toward major global governance issues, such as upholding the multilateral trading system, combating climate change, and leading in the industries of the future, from AI to biotechnology.

To foster stronger economic and people-to-people exchanges, the two have a lot to do. From collaboration on supply chain connectivity to upgrading of the bilateral free trade agreement, the two have potential to recalibrate the economic dialogue. Efforts should also continue to further promote people-to-people bonds, from enhancing academic exchanges to city-to-city partnerships.

By building more resilient economic connections, fostering candid strategic dialogue, and deepening the bonds between their people, China and the ROK can transform bilateral ties into an enduring force for growth and peace. The goal is not merely a stronger bilateral relationship, but a partnership that contributes to a more stable and prosperous Northeast Asia for all. The moment to lift this partnership is now.

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