Archive · 19 Aug 2026
China Considers Xi-Lee Summit at November APEC Meeting
China and South Korea are thinking about holding a meeting between their presidents.
The meeting could happen at an Asia-Pacific economic conference in Shenzhen in November.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the idea with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.
The two countries also want their people to keep traveling and communicating with each other.
They discussed trade, supply chains and cultural activities.
South Korea asked China to help bring North Korea back to talks.
China said it hopes North and South Korea can live together peacefully.
The possible leaders’ meeting could cover relations between the countries, North Korea and economic cooperation.
China is actively considering a summit between Xi Jinping and Lee Jae Myung at November’s APEC meeting in Shenzhen.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the proposal with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Seoul.
Wang invited Cho to visit China, and the South Korean minister accepted.
The ministers discussed trade, supply chains, cultural exchanges, travel and cooperation involving Chinese pandas.
Cho urged China to encourage North Korea to resume dialogue, while Wang called for peaceful coexistence between North and South Korea.
- Who
- Chinese President Xi Jinping, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.
- What
- China is actively considering a Xi-Lee summit, while the two foreign ministers discussed bilateral cooperation and Korean Peninsula security.
- When
- The possible summit is planned for the APEC meeting in November; the ministerial talks took place on Wednesday.
- Where
- The ministerial talks were held in Seoul, and the APEC meeting is expected to take place in Shenzhen.
- Why
- The countries are seeking stronger bilateral ties and cooperation, while South Korea wants China to help encourage North Korea to return to dialogue.
South Korea’s Priorities
China’s Position
North Korea and dialogue
South Korea’s Priorities
South Korea urged Beijing to use its influence to encourage North Korea to return to dialogue as soon as possible.
China’s Position
China said its policy toward the Korean Peninsula remains consistent and expressed hope for peaceful coexistence between North and South Korea.
Diplomatic engagement
South Korea’s Priorities
Seoul is seeking stronger engagement with Beijing while addressing security concerns linked to North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
China’s Position
Beijing is considering a leaders’ summit and emphasized broader bilateral cooperation, including economic and people-to-people exchanges.
- Possible summit
- A meeting between Xi Jinping and Lee Jae Myung is being actively considered.
- Potential venue
- The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen.
- Timing
- November.
- Ministerial meeting
- Wang Yi and Cho Hyun held talks in Seoul on Wednesday.
- Travel target
- China and South Korea expect total travel between their citizens to surpass 10 million visits.
- Economic topics
- Services and investment negotiations, supply-chain stability and cultural exchanges were discussed.
- North Korea
- South Korea urged China to encourage North Korea to return to dialogue; China expressed hope for peaceful coexistence between North and South Korea.