South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung is meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping as he seeks to reset frayed ties with his country's biggest trading partner.
Regional security and Beijing's unofficial ban on Korean pop culture are also on the agenda for Monday's meeting, which is their second summit since November, when Xi visited South Korea.
Given what a vital economic partner China is, experts say Lee is looking for assurances that it would not weaponise that relationship in the face of political tensions in the region.
For weeks, China and Japan have been engaged in a diplomatic row over the former's claim on self-governed Taiwan, which puts Seoul, a key regional power, in an awkward spot.
Visiting Beijing at this time is significant for Lee. The meeting agenda includes discussions on North Korea's nuclear program and China's demands regarding regional alignments, particularly concerning Japan.
Lee, who arrived in Beijing on Sunday, will also meet China's Premier Li Qiang and the chairman of parliament, Zhao Leji, before flying to Shanghai. His visit aims to fill in gaps in Korea-China relations and restore them to normal.
This marks the first visit by a South Korean leader since 2019, with previous tensions escalating under Lee's predecessor, who criticized China extensively.
Amid these discussions, security on the Korean Peninsula remains a crucial topic, especially as North Korea recently conducted missile tests, raising concerns.
Lee's administration aims to engage with China to promote peace and unification on the Peninsula, while also addressing the cultural restrictions that have affected South Korea's entertainment exports.
While China appears to be leveraging the historical relationship with Korea against Japan, Lee is working to balance South Korea's ties with both nations.
