Xi lands in South Korea for APEC meeting, state visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping is warmly welcomed by senior South Korean officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, upon arriving at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. Xi landed in Busan on Thursday to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, and pay a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the invitation of ROK President Lee Jae-myung. [Photo by Huang Jingwen/Xinhua]

BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Busan on Thursday to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, and pay a state visit to South Korea.

Upon arriving at Busan's Gimhae International Airport, Xi was warmly welcomed by senior South Korean officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. A 21-gun salute was fired at the airport.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is warmly welcomed by senior South Korean officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, upon arriving at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. Xi landed in Busan on Thursday to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, and pay a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the invitation of ROK President Lee Jae-myung. [Photo by Huang Jingwen/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping is warmly welcomed by senior South Korean officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, upon arriving at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. Xi landed in Busan on Thursday to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, and pay a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the invitation of ROK President Lee Jae-myung. [Photo by Xie Huanchi/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in South Korea to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the invitation of ROK President Lee Jae-myung, on Oct. 30, 2025. [Photo by Ding Lin/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in South Korea to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the invitation of ROK President Lee Jae-myung, on Oct. 30, 2025. [Photo by Yao Dawei/Xinhua]

People welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Oct. 30, 2025. Xi landed in South Korea on Thursday to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the invitation of ROK President Lee Jae-myung. [Photo by Yao Qilin/Xinhua]

People welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Oct. 30, 2025. Xi landed in South Korea on Thursday to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the invitation of ROK President Lee Jae-myung. [Photo by Lai Xiangdong/Xinhua]

People welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Oct. 30, 2025. Xi landed in South Korea on Thursday to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the invitation of ROK President Lee Jae-myung. [Photo by Zhang Haobo/Xinhua]