South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, seeking to reset strained relations and usher in a "new phase" in ties between the two nations, according to BBC World. The meeting, the first visit by a South Korean leader to China since 2019, took place amidst regional tensions and a dispute between China and Japan over Taiwan's status.

Lee's four-day trip to China includes meetings with Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of Parliament Zhao Leji on Tuesday, BBC World reported. High on Lee's agenda are discussions regarding regional security and the lifting of Beijing's unofficial ban on Korean pop culture.

Bilateral relations between South Korea and China had deteriorated under Lee's predecessor, impeached ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol, who had been critical of China, according to BBC World. The current summit is aimed at addressing these strains and securing economic assurances for South Korea, which finds itself in a delicate position due to its alliance with the U.S. and its crucial economic ties with China.

The meeting was marked by displays of cordiality, including Lee and Xi taking a selfie together, according to a BBC World report. Lee's visit underscores South Korea's attempt to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics while prioritizing its economic interests.