Overview

• South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said President Xi Jinping will join the Oct. 31–Nov. 1 APEC leaders’ meeting in Gyeongju.
• Cho met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Sept. 17 for talks that included final arrangements for Xi’s visit and a pledge to deepen bilateral ties.
• South Korea’s national security chief said President Trump’s attendance is not confirmed but is expected.
• Cho aimed to secure Beijing’s reaffirmation that it opposes North Korea possessing nuclear weapons, following reports Xi did not restate denuclearization in a recent meeting with Kim Jong Un.
• Regional media highlighted the possibility of U.S.–China leader talks around APEC, drawing attention to scheduling and attendance decisions.