South Korea's Lee visits China, inks 9 deals; aims for deeper ties amid regional tensions

• South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is on a four-day state visit to China to meet Xi Jinping, aiming to deepen cooperation.
• Nine cooperation deals were signed between Chinese and South Korean companies, including Alibaba International, Lenovo, and Shinsegae.
• Lee's visit, accompanied by a delegation of over 200 business leaders, seeks to boost economic collaboration, tourism, and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
• Discussions focused on expanding economic cooperation in AI, consumer goods, cultural content, supply chain investment, and the digital economy.
• The visit occurs amidst global tensions, North Korea's recent missile tests, and deteriorating China-Japan relations, though Beijing's unofficial ban on Korean culture remains.

Why It Matters: Lee's China visit secures 9 deals, aiming to boost economic ties and regional stability despite challenges.