China moves to improve ties with South Korea, starting with tourism and K-pop

Beijing is extending an olive branch to Seoul by embracing the return of South Korean tourists as well as cultural imports like K-pop, as the two neighbours take steps to improve ties.

Some 200 Chinese fans turned up to see K-pop girl group IVE at a signing event in Shanghai on Thursday, the same day Seoul announced Chinese tour groups would get visa-free entry to South Korea in the third quarter of the year. 

That came after China waived visas for South Korean visitors to the country in November.

Thursday’s K-pop event followed a visit by Twice, another South Korean girl band, to Shanghai last month to promote their new album. 

That was their first event…