South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has begun his visit to China as Beijing aims to strengthen ties amid heightened tensions with Japan over Taiwan.

China and South Korea agreed to carry out cultural exchanges in an orderly manner, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Tuesday, when asked if Beijing would welcome South Korean culture exports in the future.

Seoul’s calls for Chinese mediation seen to underscore Beijing’s central role in preserving stability between two Koreas.

China and South Korea’s leaders pledged to boost trade and safeguard regional stability on Monday during a visit to Beijing by the South Korean president that was overshadowed by North Korea’s recent ballistic missile tests.

China has banned exports of “dual-use” goods to Japan’s military, as Beijing steps up a diplomatic row with Tokyo over comments by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last year on Taiwan. China’s commerce ministry said any person or entity anywhere in the world would be punishable under the order,