South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday (7 January), that significant progress has been made in restoring trust with China. He also reiterated that relations with Japan are equally important for Seoul’s diplomacy amid shifting regional dynamics.
Lee spoke to media representatives in Shanghai, with his remarks broadcast live, following a series of high‑level meetings this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The talks were aimed at rebuilding bilateral ties that had cooled in recent years.
His current visit, his first state trip to China since taking office in June, comes just two months after Xi visited Seoul.
Chinese official statements following the talks highlighted mutual respect and repeated high‑level engagement as central to restoring a “strategic cooperative partnership”. The sides vowed a continued dialogue and cooperation to benefit both nations and regional peace.
Beijing and Seoul also agreed to resume and expand cultural exchanges, including working‑level discussions on films, television dramas and other cultural content.
Both sides have described 2026 as a potential “year of full restoration” for China-South Korea relations, with multiple memoranda of understanding expected across technology, transport and trade sectors.
Lee also underlined that Japan remains a vital partner for South Korea.
This is a reflection of Seoul’s broader strategy of balancing relations among its major neighbours amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly over issues such as Taiwan and regional security.
Analysts say this tightrope approach reflects Seoul’s position at the intersection of U.S. security alliances and China’s economic weight.
North Korea and regional security
President Lee’s remarks came against the backdrop of ongoing regional security challenges.
North Korea recently launched a series of ballistic missiles ahead of the summit, an action condemned by Seoul and Tokyo and seen as a reminder of Pyongyang’s advancing nuclear and missile programmes.
China’s influence over North Korea has become more complex, with Beijing recently shifting its rhetoric on Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions.
Official statements and policy documents now emphasise peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula rather than explicitly calling for denuclearisation, a departure noted by analysts at the Wall Street Journal and LiveMint.
Experts cited by the South China Morning Post observed that China has largely dropped the phrase “denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula” in public statements, signalling a more neutral stance towards North Korea’s nuclear programme.
Observers suggest this shift reflects Beijing’s strategic recalibration, balancing its regional influence with growing U.S.-China competition.
At the same time, South Korea's Lee has sought to strike a careful balance between China and other key partners. Ahead of his China visit, he also reaffirmed Seoul’s commitment to the One‑China policy.
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Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats on Tuesday, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Tehran to expect the “most intense day" of attacks so far. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “anyone who entertains the illusion of destroying Iran knows nothing of history."
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Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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