The post China and South Korea strengthen financial links with $49 billion swap deal appeared com. China and South Korea have signed a new five-year bilateral currency swap agreement worth 70 trillion won ($49. 24 billion / 400 billion yuan) as they seek to strengthen their economic relationship. The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting between the Bank of Korea and the People’s Bank of China in Seoul. South Korea’s presidential office stated that it would now exchange its national currency, the won, and the Chinese yuan within the existing limits. The swap line was developed to stabilize the financial market, trade transactions, and ensure liquidity during times of crisis. It replaces a previous agreement that expired in October 2025. Seoul authorities believe the strategic swap line would help reduce the usage of the US dollar in Asian deals. The move aligns with a broader trend across Asia, where countries are seeking to reduce their reliance on the US dollar in trade and financial transactions. Similar initiatives have been observed between China and other BRICS members, as well as between ASEAN economies, in their efforts to strengthen regional payment frameworks. Such patterns are emerging due to growing confidence in their national currencies and concerns that external monetary turbulence may harm their national economies. Analysts say this is a vital agreement, as all countries globally face multiple global economic challenges, including differences in energy costs, declining growth, and currency fluctuations. Through more substantial yuan-won connections, Beijing and Seoul wish to integrate their economies more effectively and foster assurance between their central monetary authorities. Leaders pledge broader cooperation The currency swap was one of the six memorandums of understanding signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to South Korea, his first since taking office 11 years ago. State President Lee Jae-myung welcomed Xi in Seoul on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, to expand economic.
