**Recent high-level diplomatic engagement and explicit signals point to strong momentum for continued Xi-Lee summits.** South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping have already held reciprocal in-person meetings—in Gyeongju at the 2025 APEC summit and in Beijing in January 2026—described by both sides as restoring full bilateral ties and providing strategic guidance. These contacts have produced agreements on economic cooperation, supply chains, and people-to-people exchanges ahead of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027. In mid-August 2026, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Seoul and met Lee at Cheong Wa Dae. Wang conveyed greetings from Xi, noted stable upward relations, and stated that China is “actively considering” a leader-level meeting on the sidelines of the November 2026 APEC summit in Shenzhen. Lee requested ongoing strategic communication with Chinese counterparts on Korean Peninsula issues, including his peace-regime initiative, while pledging support for China’s APEC hosting. Separate talks between Wang and South Korean officials reinforced commitments to close coordination. These developments—coupled with Lee’s Liberation Day address emphasizing phased North Korea engagement and U.S. signals on potential Trump-Kim dialogue—frame Beijing-Seoul ties as cooperative and forward-leaning. The November APEC window represents the most immediate near-term catalyst, with both governments positioning for further high-level contact. Trader assessments of meeting probability by late 2026 or early 2027 will hinge primarily on confirmation of APEC sidelines arrangements and any intervening North Korea-related developments.