China has formally invited President Lee Jae-myung to attend the 80th anniversary of its Victory Day celebrations on Sept. 3, which will include a military parade at Tiananmen Square. The ROK presidential office confirmed the invitation on Wednesday, stating that the two sides are in diplomatic communication but declined to disclose further details. It also emphasized that Seoul and Beijing are closely coordinating to strengthen relations in the lead-up to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit scheduled for November in Gyeongju.

The invitation coincided with director-general-level diplomatic talksheld in Seoul on Tuesday between ROK Director-General Kang Young-shin and Liu