Senior Chinese diplomat set for first visit to South Korea in five years amid missile defence row

FILE PHOTO: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) is surrounded by journalists after talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the latter's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, November 25, 2019. Kimimasa Mayama/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

SEOUL (Reuters) - A high-ranking Chinese diplomat is visiting Seoul this week for the first time in five years as the two countries seek to improve ties amid a spat over a U.S. anti-missile system in South Korea.

The Chinese government's top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, is set to arrive on Wednesday for a two-day stay, during which he will meet his counterpart, Kang Kyung-wha, and President Moon Jae-in, Seoul officials said.