What Lee Jae Myung's China visit signals for Asia's future

President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung has made a state visit to China, the first by a ROK leader since 2017. Beijing says the trip advances the China–ROK strategic cooperative partnership, while Lee has called the restoration of ties his government's "greatest accomplishment" so far. For decades, Seoul has balanced U.S. security alignment with deep economic ties to China. Since taking office last June, Lee has begun questioning that long-standing formula, and this China visit suggests the rethink has gone further. What does this signal for the future of China–ROK relations, and what lessons does it hold for countries navigating intensifying great-power competition?