Traffic chaos during the BJP’s demonstration over the women’s reservation bill in Mumbai's Worli area prompted an irate woman to confront Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan, blaming him for the snarls. The incident occurred on Tuesday (April 21
Outgoing Apple, Inc. CEO Tim Cook oversaw a period where the company sank far deeper roots in the Indian market than had been done in the decades prior. Most notably, he presided over the firm’s supply chain expansion, during which it set up iPhone assembly operations in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
West Bengal polls: Polling for the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting of votes on May 4. West Medinipur: Union Home Minister on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister
The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) is likely to announce the results for the Class 10 (Matric) and Class 12 (Intermediate) board examinations for the 2025–2026 academic session. According to board officials and reports, the JAC Board has completed the process of preparing the Jharkhand 10th
The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice on a public interest litigation challenging the validity of the 2008 National Investigation Agency Act, Live Law reported. The Act set up the National Investigation Agency in 2008 and contains a list of scheduled offences that it has the power to
China's Xi to host South Korea's Lee in New Year amid Japan tensions
China's Xi to host South Korea's Lee in New Year amid Japan tensions
Chinese President Xi Jinping will host South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on a state visit starting on Sunday (January 4, 2026), signalling Beijing's intent to strengthen ties with Seoul amidst strained relations with Japan over Taiwan.
The visit marks the second meeting between Mr. Xi and Mr. Lee in just two months, an unusually short interval that signals China's keen interest in reinforcing ties with Seoul and boosting economic collaboration and tourism, analysts say. Mr. Lee will focus on China's efforts towards peace in the Korean peninsula presidential adviser Wi Sung-lac said on Friday (January 2, 2026).
Relations between China and Japan are at their chilliest point in years after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.
Mr. Xi's invitation to Lee for a state visit from Sunday is a calculated move aimed at deepening bilateral relations especially before the South Korean leader visits Japan, analysts say.
"China wants to emphasize South Korea's importance slightly more than before," said Kang Jun-young, professor of political economics at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.
"China appears to have strategically decided that it would be better to have (Lee) visit China before South Korea holds a summit with Japan again," he added.
The Lee administration has said it aims to "restore" ties with Beijing, acknowledging China is South Korea's largest trading partner.
The pivot follows the two countries' strained relations under Mr. Lee's predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, due to his closer alignment with Washington and Tokyo, as well as criticism of China's handling of Taiwan.
Now, South Korea is trying to maintain balance but leaning towards cooperation with China to avoid being forced into any troubles that would threaten the Asian industrial powerhouse.
Mr. Lee said in December he wouldn't take sides in the diplomatic dispute between China and Japan.
Still, China and South Korea face complex issues as China challenges the U.S., South Korea's major ally in the region, and as nuclear-armed North Korea remains unpredictable.
China is North Korea's major ally and economic lifeline.
Shin Beom-chul, a former South Korean Vice Defence Minister and a senior research fellow at the Sejong Institute, said Mr. Xi and Mr. Lee might discuss some contentious issues such as efforts to modernise the South Korea- U.S. alliance that apparently aim to curb China's dominance.
Currently, about 28,500 U.S. troops are based in South Korea to counter any threat from North Korea.
U.S. officials have signalled a plan to make those U.S. forces more flexible to respond to other threats, such as defending Taiwan and checking China's growing military reach.
"Korea is not simply responding to threats on the peninsula," General Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, said at a forum on Dec. 29. "Korea sits at the crossroads of broader regional dynamics that shape the balance of power across Northeast Asia." he said.
Mr. Lee's agenda with Mr. Xi includes persuading China to facilitate dialogue with North Korea, experts said.
North Korea has dismissed Lee's outreach, labelling him a "hypocrite" and "confrontational maniac".
Meanwhile, China and North Korea have been seeking closer coordination as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stood shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Xi in September at a big military parade.
Mr. Lee's visit to Beijing is expected to address cooperation in areas including critical minerals, supply chain and green industries, his office said earlier.
Seoul sources nearly half of its supply of rare earth minerals, critical to semiconductor manufacturing, come from China. Beijing also accounts for a third of Seoul's annual chip exports, the largest market by far.
Last month, South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao agreed to work towards stable rare earth supplies, the South Korean Industry Ministry said.
The visit may also foster partnerships on artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, experts said.
China's Huawei Technologies plans to roll out the Ascend 950 AI chips in South Korea next year, aiming to provide an alternative to Nvidia for Korean firms, Huawei's South Korea CEO Balian Wang told a press conference last month.
Mr. Wang mentioned ongoing discussions with potential customers, without naming those clients.
Huawei did not address questions from Reuters about Mr. Wang's comments.
Another issue at stake is Beijing's effective ban on K-pop content since around the 2017 deployment of a U.S.-led missile defence system in South Korea.
The chief executive of SM Entertainment, a leading K-pop agency will join Mr. Lee's business delegation, according to local media.
Published - January 02, 2026 08:21 am IST
World / diplomacy / China / South Korea / Japan / Taiwan
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: South Korea's Lee Jae Myung meets China's Xi as he seeks to reset ties South Korea's 'TV dad' Lee Soon-jae dies at 91 South Korea's Lee Jae Myung to meet China's Xi in reset of relations Lee Jung-jae Meets Shah Rukh Khan Kim Soo Hyun to Lee Jung Jae Trump calls 'G2 meeting' with Chinese President Xi Jinping 'great one' Trump says Chinese leader Xi Jinping could have Xi jokes about spying after gifting Chinese phones to South Korean president Korean Air makes airline's biggest-ever Boeing jet order amid Trump-Lee summit South Korea's President Lee says U
Woman gives 5 reasons she’ll never return to a corporate job even with 2x salaryA Dubai-based woman has explained why she will never return to a corporate job, even if her pay were to be doubled. Updated on: Apr 22, 2026 11:45 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link A Dubai-based woman has
1 days ago
Rajasthan Royals wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel, who effected a stunning stumping of Kolkata Knight Riders batter Cameron Green in the IPL on Sunday (April 19, 2026), said he was grateful to be working with the legendary Sri Lankan gloveman Kumar Sangakkara.Rajasthan Royals wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel
1 days ago
The Congress said that Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to West Bengal on Thursday to campaign for the Assembly elections had to be cancelled after the administration allegedly denied permission, The Telegraph reported. Gandhi was to address a rally in Kolkata and another in Serampore
1 days ago
Shah Rukh Khan stayed calm amid fan frenzy during visit to Ajmer dargah, reveals bodyguardBodyguard Yusuf Ibrahim revealed that he had accompanied Shah Rukh Khan to the Ajmer dargah on a Friday, but the visit quickly turned chaotic. Apr 22, 2026
1 days ago
Karnataka recently rolled out a draft policy to alter the taxation structure on liquor sold in the state. The policy proposed taxing liquor based on the actual volume of alcohol present in it — or the Alcohol-in-Beverage taxation system, a popular practice in western countries
1 days ago
Inherited peripheral neuropathies (IPN) are cruel genetic diseases that affect around 1 in 2,500 individuals. A person affected by IPN develops high foot arches, curled toes, thin calves, and walks awkwardly or trips. Their fingers may become clawed and, because they lose sensation
1 days ago
Kedarnath Dham portals open today, CM Dhami offers prayersChar Dham Yatra began on April 19, with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines in Uttarakhand on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya Published on: Apr 22, 2026 1:33 PM IST By HT Correspondent
1 days ago
No, ICSE Class 10 Result 2026 will not be declared today, April 22, despite the false claim floating on social media platforms. The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) told Times of India (TOI) dismissed the rumour and said that the board has not made any announcement
1 days ago
Kevin Warsh has clashed with Democratic senators during a fiery confirmation hearing to decide whether he should be installed as Federal Reserve chairman. From suggestions that he would be President Donald Trump's "sock puppet" to questions over his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Panasonic ACs are trending this summer! Grab top deals with up to 30% discountPanasonic ACs are becoming a top choice this summer. Check out the latest deals, key features
1 days ago
A Mumbai woman has gone viral after angrily confronting Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan over a massive traffic jam allegedly caused by a political rally in Worli, with many on social media calling her the voice of ordinary commuters. The clip, shared by X user Prashant Dhumal
1 days ago
IIT Kharagpur professor invites students to his birthday party, internet enviousAn IIT Kharagpur student left the internet surprised—and a little envious—after sharing a video of a professor’s birthday celebration with his class. Updated on: Apr 22
1 days ago
The Iran war has caused a significant drop in global oil demand, with consumption plummeting due to supply disruptions and record-high fuel prices. While this short-term destruction accelerates the shift to EVs and biofuels, the conflict's longer-term impact may paradoxically boost oil demand
1 days ago
Global oil prices edged lower in Asia on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said he would extend a ceasefire with Iran until peace talks between the two countries have progressed. He added that the US will continue to blockade Iran's ports until Tehran presents a "unified proposal"
1 days ago
Abhishek Sharma smashed an explosive century on Tuesday. He scored an unbeaten 135 runs from 68 balls. This helped Sunrisers Hyderabad defeat Delhi Capitals by 47 runs in the Indian Premier League. Sharma's performance was the fifth-highest individual score in the tournament's history
1 days ago
One year after the terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025, which claimed 26 lives in a targeted assault on civilians, the meadows of Kashmir seem to have begun their slow healing with a return to tourism. Yet for the families left behind, time has not healed in the way society often expects
1 days ago
At least 13 people have been killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory in India's southern state of Kerala, officials say. The incident took place in Thrissur, where around 40 people were believed to be assembling firecrackers in a cluster of sheds for an upcoming festival
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Stay safe and protected this summer with these SPF-infused skin and hair productsKeep your skin and hair protected with these SPF-infused products. Published on: Apr 22
1 days ago
David Wilcock death rumors: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna sounds the alarm about dead, missing US scientists, ‘Something is up’Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has sounded the alarm about an increasing number of missing and dead scientists amid rumors that David Wilcock has died by suicide. Updated on: Apr 22
1 days ago
The protests by workers across Indian cities through early April are an urgent signal that survival is impossible on wages that hover around the bare legal minimum. Domestic, gig and delivery workers to industrial labourers in the Delhi-National Capital Region protested demanding an increase in
1 days ago
Walk into most classrooms today, and you will find students who can define empathy, write about conflict, and explain decision-making. But ask them to navigate a difficult conversation, respond to peer pressure, or articulate what they feel; the confidence disappears
1 days ago
V. Muthuraja returns to contest Pudukkottai seat for DMK in 2026 Tamil Nadu electionsV. Muthuraja, a key DMK politician from Tamil Nadu, won the Pudukkottai seat in 2021 with 85,802 votes, aims to defend his position in the 2026 elections. Published on: Apr 22
1 days ago
Learn how to search your name in the voter list 2026, verify details in the electoral roll, and download your Voter ID card online via NVSP and ECI portals. Step-by-step guide with direct links and troubleshooting tips. With Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal approaching
1 days ago
Nineteen hundred exhibitors from Italy and around the world. 700 designers, all under the age of 35. Over 169,000 sq.m. of exhibition. The numbers give a sense of the scale of this year’s Salone del Mobile.Milano, the landmark European furniture and interiors design trade fair that attracts a
1 days ago
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has cancelled a presidential trip to the southern African nation of Eswatini, accusing Beijing of putting pressure on other countries to bar his aircraft from flying over their territories. Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked Lai's overflight permits after
1 days ago
International benchmark Brent crude futures traded at $99.29 per barrel, up 0.82 per cent, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 1.15 per cent to $90.71. Mumbai: Global crude oil prices edged higher to nearly $100 a barrel on Wednesday as traders and investors analysed the outlook for US-Iran
1 days ago
Diet Coke has become an unexpected casualty of supply chain disruptions linked to the ongoing tensions involving Iran, with several Indian cities witnessing stock-outs of the popular sugar-free beverage due to a severe shortage of aluminium cans. The crunch has also affected other canned drinks
1 days ago
