Xi’s Visit Sees Protests, 7 Trade Deals, and an NK Rejection

President Xi Jinping’s state visit to South Korea was a study in contrasts, marked by new economic agreements, tense security discussions, vocal public protests, and a harsh rejection from North Korea.
On the positive side, Xi and President Lee Jae Myung signed seven bilateral agreements, including a won-yuan currency swap, and Xi called South Korea an “inseparable cooperative partner.”
However, the visit was met with protests in Seoul, where hundreds chanted “China Out.” Lee also raised several friction points with Xi, including sanctions on Hanwha Ocean, the THAAD-related entertainment ban, and Chinese military activity in the KADIZ.
Lee’s top agenda item—a request for Xi’s help in restarting talks with North Korea—failed to gain public traction. Chinese state media reports on the summit omitted the topic entirely.
To complicate matters, North Korea, a Chinese ally, issued a statement on the same day. It dismissed Lee’s “phased” denuclearisation plan as an “unrealisable pipe dream” and reiterated its refusal to ever engage in dialogue with Seoul.