• Xi Jinping urged South Korea's new president, Lee Jae-myung, to deepen bilateral ties.
• Lee requested China's assistance in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
• Both leaders emphasized the need to uphold multilateralism and free trade.
• Lee's election marks a shift towards better relations with Beijing, contrasting his predecessor's policies.
• Lee invited Xi to the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea.

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, calling for enhanced collaboration aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and promoting multilateralism and free trade. Xi emphasized the importance of a "healthy, stable, and continuously deepening China-South Korea relationship," stating it aligns with "the trend of the times," according to Channel News Asia and India Times.

During the call, Lee urged Xi to play a "constructive role" in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, a pressing issue for Seoul. Xi responded affirmatively, stating that China "will make efforts to resolve the issue," indicating a shared interest in promoting peace and stability in the region, as reported by TRT Global and AA.

Lee, who assumed office after a swift election triggered by the ousting of his predecessor, emphasized the importance of "pragmatic diplomacy" during his campaign. He criticized the previous administration for its confrontational stance towards China, aiming to improve ties with Beijing while navigating the delicate balance of relations with the US, according to South China Morning Post.

Both leaders agreed on the necessity of deepening their strategic cooperative partnership and enhancing people-to-people exchanges. Xi underscored that such collaboration would contribute positively to both nations and the broader region, while Lee presented an invitation for Xi to attend the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November, as detailed by Channel News Asia and AA.