Beijing, Jan 4 (NationPress) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has landed in Beijing on Sunday to initiate summit discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The leaders are anticipated to concentrate on North Korea, enhancing economic relations, and fostering cultural exchanges.

This four-day state visit represents Lee's inaugural trip to China since assuming office in June 2022 and is the first visit by a South Korean president to the country since 2019.

Later today, Lee plans to engage with Korean nationals residing in China to gather their insights and assure them of the government's backing.

On Monday, he will conduct talks with Xi, marking their second encounter in just two months following their meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju in early November, when Xi visited South Korea for the first time in 11 years, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.

This visit occurs as South Korea strives to maintain stable relations with China, a pivotal partner in trade, tourism, and peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula, while simultaneously upholding a robust alliance with the United States under Lee's administration's pragmatic diplomatic strategy.

During the summit, Lee is likely to request China's assistance in ameliorating strained relations with Pyongyang and in advancing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, which remains a primary focus of his administration's foreign policy.

Accompanied by a substantial business delegation, he will also participate in a Korea-China economic forum in Beijing on Monday to deliberate on expanding collaboration in sectors such as artificial intelligence, green energy, supply chains, and tourism, among others.

The two parties are expected to formalize over 10 memorandums of understanding aimed at cooperation across various fields, according to his office.

Cultural exchanges will also be a significant topic, as Seoul aspires to enhance access for Korean content in China, which has faced unofficial restrictions since South Korea deployed a U.S. missile defense system in 2017.

Although Beijing does not officially recognize any ban on Korean content, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac stated that Seoul will explore avenues to strengthen cultural ties between the two nations.

Sensitive matters are also likely to be addressed, including China's construction of steel structures in the overlapping maritime zone in the Yellow Sea, which Seoul views as potentially laying groundwork for territorial claims.

Wi mentioned that both sides have already conducted working-level discussions regarding China's maritime structure after the issue was raised during Lee's November summit with Xi, and efforts will continue to make progress.

Amid heightened tensions over Taiwan following China's extensive military drills near the island last week, Lee is expected to face pressure to clarify Seoul's stance on this matter, which Beijing considers a core national interest.

In an interview with CCTV on Friday, Lee reiterated that South Korea's commitment to respecting the One China policy remains unchanged.

On Tuesday, Lee is set to have a luncheon with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who oversees economic policies, and also meet with Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, before heading to Shanghai later that day.

In Shanghai, Lee intends to visit the historic site that once housed the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea during Japan's colonial rule to commemorate the centenary of its establishment. He will also honor the 150th anniversary of the birth of independence hero Kim Gu (1876-1949), who led the provisional government in Shanghai.

Additionally, he is scheduled to participate in a startup event alongside Korean and Chinese entrepreneurs before returning home on Wednesday.