President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to make a four-day state visit to the People`s Republic of China December 13-16 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

Presidents Moon and Xi will hold a summit followed by a state dinner. President Moon will also have meetings with Premier Li Keqiang and key political leaders of China. At their meetings, they are expected to note progress in Korea-China relations marking the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties and discuss the direction of future developments.

Moreover, they will consult on various matters of mutual interest, including regional and international affairs as well as measures to work together to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and bring peace to the Korean Peninsula.

Following his visit to Beijing, President Moon plans to travel to Chongqing for two days beginning on December 15. Chongqing is a foothold of China’s One Road One Belt initiative and Great Western Development strategy, and it also has a historic site of Korea’s independence movement. 

President Moon’s visit to China, his first since his inauguration, is expected to become a milestone to quickly recover bilateral exchanges and cooperation and put them back on the right track by building trust and friendship between the two heads of state.    

Marking the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, the state visit to China is also expected to provide an opportunity to solidify the foundation on which bilateral relations will be able to have a strong start for another 25 years.