“The two sides are also expected to sign more than 10 memorandums of understanding for cooperation in various areas, according to Yonhap.”

“A China-South Korea business forum will be held on Monday, a supporting activity for the South Korean president's China trip, co-organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry.”

“About 400 participants will attend, the Global Times learned from CCPIT on Sunday.”

“According to an agenda seen by the Global Times, the forum will conduct in-depth dialogues centered on three core themes: manufacturing innovation and supply chain resilience, consumer market upgrading and innovation, and coordinated development of modern service industries.”

“According to South Korean media reports, Lee will visit Shanghai after wrapping up his Beijing tour.”

“In Shanghai, he will attend a South Korea-China venture and startup summit to interact with young entrepreneurs in fields such as content, healthcare, infrastructure and energy.”

“Afterward, he will visit the site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea to honor the sacrifices and dedication of activists and reflect on the shared historical experiences of South Korea and China.”

“Hwang Jae-ho, director of the Institute for Global Strategy and Cooperation and a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, told the Global Times that the trip, which comes only two months after the two leaders' first meeting, highlights the shared determination of both sides to normalize relations and align their cooperation with respective national interests at the start of the new year.”

“The scholar added that Lee's arrangement to visit China, before one to Japan, also demonstrates South Korea's sincerity.”

“South Korean National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said on Friday at a press briefing that 'It is unprecedented for the leaders of South Korea and China to begin their first diplomatic schedule of the new year together, and this will serve as an opportunity to open a new chapter in the development of bilateral relations,' Korea Policy Briefing reported.”

“Prior to his visit, Lee had a nearly 20-minute interview on the program Leaders Talk of CCTV News at Cheong Wa Dae, which aired on Friday, during which he shared his expectations for his first visit to China, his views on trade development and bilateral relations, the current South Korean government's stance on the Taiwan question, and its approach to pragmatic diplomacy.”

“When asked about the current South Korean government's position on the Taiwan question and how it plans to uphold the one-China principle, Lee said that the consensus reached between the governments of South Korea and China at the time of establishing diplomatic relations remains the core guiding principle governing bilateral ties, and its validity has never changed.”