What is the significance of the South Korean business chief's visit to China before the APEC CEO Summit?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a significant diplomatic effort, SK Group's Chairman Chey Tae-won visits China to gather support for the APEC CEO Summit in South Korea. This initiative aims to strengthen bilateral ties and foster discussions on economic collaboration, boosting the prospects for the upcoming summit. Will this visit pave the way for fruitful discussions?
Key Takeaways
- Chey Tae-won's visit aims to enhance support for the APEC CEO Summit.
- The summit is scheduled for Oct. 28-31 in Gyeongju, South Korea.
- Discussions focus on bilateral economic cooperation between South Korea and China.
- SK Group will present its vision for AI development during the summit.
- Key global leaders are expected to attend, emphasizing the summit's significance.
Seoul, Oct 12 (NationPress) The leader of a prominent South Korean business organization has traveled to China to rally support for the successful hosting of the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, which is set to take place later this month, as announced by the organization on Sunday.
SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who also leads the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), made this visit to enhance backing for the APEC CEO Summit in South Korea, according to a report by Yonhap news agency.
Chey’s three-day journey commenced on Friday, taking him to Beijing and Shanghai just two weeks prior to the APEC CEO Summit, an official side event of the multilateral forum of APEC leaders, scheduled for Oct. 28 to 31 in Gyeongju, approximately 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
During his time in Beijing, Chey engaged with significant Chinese officials, including Vice Premier He Lifeng and Ren Hongbin, the chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, discussing the current state of bilateral economic cooperation and exploring avenues to boost private-sector exchanges between the two countries’ businesses.
While in Shanghai over the weekend, Chey held talks with Shanghai Mayor Chen Jining and took part in the International Business Leaders Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai, a platform that unites global business leaders to counsel on the city's economic growth.
Additionally, SK Group, a South Korean conglomerate spanning sectors from chips to defense, announced on Sunday that it will unveil its vision for artificial intelligence (AI) development during the APEC summit, aiming to expand the global AI ecosystem.
SK plans to host the Future Tech Forum AI at Gyeongju Expo Grand Park, gathering government representatives and leading executives from global tech firms, including U.S. AI chipmaker Nvidia and OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. This forum, set for Oct 28-31, will serve as an official side event of the APEC CEO Summit, occurring concurrently with the APEC summit.
The APEC summit is scheduled to happen in Gyeongju from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, with U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to be in attendance.
Point of View
The visit by SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won to China is a strategic move aimed at enhancing economic cooperation between South Korea and China. As the APEC CEO Summit approaches, this effort aligns with the nation's goals of fostering closer ties with its key trading partner, reflecting a commitment to collaborative growth within the Asia-Pacific region.
NationPress
13/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the APEC CEO Summit important?
The APEC CEO Summit is a significant event that facilitates dialogue between business leaders and government officials, promoting economic cooperation and development across the Asia-Pacific region.
What role does SK Group play in this summit?
SK Group, led by Chairman Chey Tae-won, is seeking to advance discussions on artificial intelligence and economic collaboration, positioning itself as a leader in the tech and business sectors.
Who are some key attendees of the APEC summit?
Notable attendees of the APEC summit include U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting the event's importance on the global stage.
