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| ▲ This composite photo, created with AP and EPA file photos, shows U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Trump-Xi Jinping-APEC gathering
Trump, China's Xi may both pay state visits to S. Korea during APEC gathering: sources
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Oct. 16 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are both likely to pay state visits to South Korea during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering later this month, diplomatic sources said Thursday.
Seoul is in talks with Washington and Beijing over the arrangements for the highly anticipated trips by the two leaders and is fine-tuning details to host both with a state visit, the sources said.
A state visit is the highest form of diplomatic visit by a foreign head of state, during which the host country extends the utmost ceremonial protocol, including an elaborate official welcome with military honors and a state banquet.
If realized, their visits would take place in Gyeongju, the host city for APEC in southeastern South Korea, rather than Seoul, possibly in a simplified manner in terms of the protocol, considering the schedules coinciding with the multilateral gathering, the sources said.
Trump is expected to make a two-day trip starting Oct. 29, holding summit talks with President Lee Jae Myung on the first day, according to sources. A state banquet for Trump may be held the same day.
Xi's visit is anticipated for Oct. 30, with a summit between Lee and Xi and a state banquet widely expected to take place on that day.
The APEC summit is set for Oct. 31-Nov. 1, with ministerial and business leaders' meetings to be held earlier in the week.
Their visits would carry significance for the Lee Jae Myung government, as Seoul hosts the world's two most powerful leaders, with attention focused on whether Trump and Xi will hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of APEC.
"We are in close communication with member leaders attending APEC regarding the format and schedule of possible bilateral meetings. Details will be officially shared once they are ready to be announced," foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said in a press briefing, when asked about the potential state visits.
Separately, the possibility of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visiting South Korea ahead of APEC appears slim, considering the upcoming major party meetings in China, another source said.
By diplomatic custom, a country's top diplomat usually visits the counterpart nation to make final preparations before a planned visit by its leader.
The source said, "Nothing's final at this stage, but if everything were already prepared, there'd be no need to come, would there?"
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