Keeping China-ROK relations on healthy track benefits both countries and region: China Daily editorial

As close neighbors, China and the Republic of Korea have every reason to increase exchanges, maintain frequent contact and strengthen their communication amid the rising protectionism in the world, intensifying geopolitical turbulence and the fragile global economic recovery.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping noted during his meeting with ROK President Lee Jae-myung in Beijing on Monday, China has consistently placed relations with the ROK high on its regional diplomatic agenda and maintained continuity and stability in its policy toward the ROK.

Their economic and trade relations have long been the ballast of China-ROK ties. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, the two sides have built deeply interwoven industry and supply chains, forming one of the most resilient economic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific. The China-ROK Free Trade Agreement signed in 2015 laid an important institutional foundation for this partnership. A decade on, bilateral trade continues to demonstrate vitality, clearly showing that attempts to politicize or decouple economic ties would run counter to the fundamental interests of both sides and undermine regional economic stability.

The China-ROK business forum held in Beijing on Monday offered a vivid illustration of this reality. Bringing together about 400 representatives from government, business and academic circles, the forum highlighted the strong economic focus of Lee's visit. In his address at the opening ceremony, Lee called on the ROK business community not to seek afar and neglect what lies close at hand.

This urging is grounded in sound economic logic. China's new development blueprint, outlined in the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), charts a clear path for high-quality growth and opens broad opportunities for global partners. With deeply integrated supply chains and strong economic complementarity, China and the ROK are well positioned to strengthen policy coordination to align their development strategies and expand their common interests. Cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green industries, biopharmaceuticals and the silver economy holds vast potential, and would help steady regional industry and supply networks at a time when global supply chains face mounting strain.

Beyond economics, the visit highlighted the importance of viewing bilateral ties from a strategic height and with a long-term vision. As Xi pointed out, properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation, respecting each other's chosen development paths, and taking care of each other's core interests and major concerns are essential for sustaining mutual trust.

As supporters of the multilateral trading system, China-ROK coordination in regional and multilateral frameworks, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation mechanism, can help reinforce the Asia-Pacific's role as a driver of growth and a pillar of stability. The ROK's expressed support for China's hosting of this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting reflects this shared commitment.

The signing of 15 cooperation documents following the talks between Xi and Lee, covering areas such as scientific and technological innovation, ecological protection, transportation and economic cooperation, further demonstrates that the foundation for deeper collaboration remains solid.

Lee's visit signals a clear intention to move China-ROK relations toward renewed engagement not only economically but also on the people-to-people level, as his itinerary, including a stop in Shanghai to visit historical sites, carries symbolic weight, as ROK observers said.

More than 80 years ago, the two peoples made tremendous national sacrifices to defeat Japanese militarism, and the two countries should firmly stand on the right side of history and make the right strategic choices to maintain regional peace and promote global development.

It is good to hear Lee reaffirming the ROK's willingness to consolidate the momentum of the comprehensive recovery and development of bilateral ties.

In an era of profound global transformation, the choices facing both sides should be clear. By upholding cooperation over confrontation, maintaining strategic autonomy, and approaching bilateral ties with clarity and long-term vision, China and the ROK can not only steady their own relationship, but also contribute meaningfully to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.

It is hoped that the ROK will work with China to firmly uphold the direction of friendly cooperation, adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and promote the bilateral strategic partnership along a healthy path. Doing so will not only effectively enhance the well-being of both peoples, but also contribute positively to regional and global peace and development.