Xi Jinping First South Korea Visit in 11 Years Boosts APEC Ties

At the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, several key diplomatic engagements took place. Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a three-day visit to South Korea with a state visit hosted by President Lee Jae Myung, focusing on discussions about the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and balancing Seoul's relations between China and the U.S. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto also participated in the summit, emphasizing regional connectivity and economic resilience. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee met with President Xi and engaged with the Hong Kong community in South Korea to promote economic and trade cooperation. A significant highlight was the first in-person meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping since Trump's return to office, aiming to ease tensions through trade discussions, including tariff reductions and curbing fentanyl production. These interactions underscore ongoing efforts to stabilize regional relations amid economic and security challenges.