On the morning of October 30, 2025 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in the Republic of Korea (ROK) by special plane to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to the ROK at the invitation of President of the ROK Lee Jae-myung.

Upon arriving at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, Xi Jinping was warmly welcomed by ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun and other senior officials. Guards of honor lined up on both sides of a red carpet to salute President Xi Jinping, and the military band performed a march. A 21-gun salute was fired at the airport.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other members of the entourage arrived on the same plane.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee Ka-chiu, who arrived earlier, and Chinese Ambassador to the ROK Dai Bing were also at the airport to greet the delegation.

Chinese students and representatives of Chinese enterprises in the ROK waved the national flags of China and the ROK to warmly welcome Xi Jinping's visit.