ROK-China Cooperative Partnership Augurs Fine Vista Ahead: Ambassador

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 23, 2002

ROK-China Cooperative Partnership Augurs Fine Vista Ahead: Ambassador

Recently, reporter of the People's Daily had an interview with Kim Ha Joong, ROK ambassador to China, witness and "contributor" to the diplomatic ties between the two countries, in which the ambassador's appraisal on the ties in the past 10 years and prospect for the future are really inspiring and encouraging.

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Aug. 24, 2002 marks the 10th anniversary for the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the People's Republic of China. Recently, reporter of the People's Daily had an interview with Kim Ha Joong, ROK ambassador to China, witness and "contributor" to the diplomatic ties between the two countries, in which the ambassador's appraisal on the ties in the past 10 years and prospect for the future are really inspiring and encouraging.

The interview began with the Kim Ha Joong's special works "The Soaring Dragon" which is soon to be published. Kim said, "China is becoming stronger. However, many foreigners don't know much about China and some westerners were even out with the wrong assertion of "China threat", but I want to show them the fact, the changes and development in China that I have experienced and felt here in China. One noble virtue of the Chinese people is the advocacy "Peace is the best option". History has proved that the Chinese people are not willing to have wars and clashes with other countries. The westerners hold a lopsided view that China is sure to be a military power seeking for hegemony when it becomes economically strong. I think this is an erroneous logic. It is an untenable argument. A Chinese saying goes like this "a bystander has a clear vision." I understand China and knows well of it. The Chinese people like the dragon and they are the inheritor, the heir of the dragon that has created the brilliant Chinese civilization. Not very long ago the Chinese dragon got wounded in the foreign invasion. However, this dragon is now full of vital life and is about to soar high. I think China has an outstanding collective of leaders, young and proficient cadres and with billions of populace wishing to have better life I'm quite confident about the development in the future.

Speaking of the fast development of the ties after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries Kim Ha Joong dealt a lot about it as if enumerating his family valuables. As a common objective of the two countries the "complet cooperative partnership" reached between the leaders of the two countries is in the course of being carried out. The frequent visits and meetings with each other between the state leaders of the two countries have greatly spurred up the speedy development of the relations.

Last year witnessed the trade volume to reach 31.5 billion in US dollars with each side being the third large trade partner. The trade volume has outstripped US$ 20 billion by the end of last July and in the past 10 years the investment amount from the ROK to China has added up to 13.8 billion in US dollars. China being the second big country for the ROK's investment this year has witnessed an increasing investment from the ROK to China.

Last year saw the interflow between the two countries reach 2 million person/times and every week there were 330 flights shuttling among the six and 22 cities in the ROK and in China. Besides, the naval fleet of the two countries also exchanged visits to each other. Along with the frequent exchanges between the central governments the exchanges of the local governments of the two countries were very brisk too in which 63 pairs of friendship provinces, prefectures and cities have come into being.

The fast development of the ties between the two countries indicates that the diplomatic relations established between the two countries are quite correct, said Kim Ha Joong. It is conducive to the two countries, to the two peoples and the development of the relations of the two countries is mutually profitable and beneficial to each other and both are aiming at a common goal for economic development in the country.

"All the Chinese people cherish friendly feelings for the ROK people" and in turn "the ROK people is paying an increasing attention to China", said Kim Ha Joong. He deems that the cultural exchanges between the two countries have helped increase the mutual understanding of the two peoples which has served as a corner stone for the continuous development of the relations between the two countries. He extended his thanks to the Chinese people for their attention and high appreciation given to the ROK's economic development, in its overcoming financial crisis and the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup. He also mentioned excitedly, there sees a "ROK flow" in China and a "Chinese wind" in the ROK. "This has brought the two peoples closer to each other," Kin Ha Joong said.

China has always been making efforts for the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, advocating that the peninsula problem be solved through talks and consultations in order eventually to realize peaceful unification. Kim Ha Joong expressed his thanks to the consistent stand of the Chinese government, and hopes that it will continue to play a constructive role in it.

Speaking of the perspective of the relations between the two countries Kim told the reporter, the annual trade volume of the two countries will soon break through 50 billion US dollars. The good relations between the two countries will continue to be deepened and developed on the basis of the geographical neighborhood, similarity in history and culture and complementary to each other in economy. The ROK will devote itself to the development of "Complete Cooperative Partnership" between the two countries so as to achieve a qualitative and quantitative leap in trade exchange and interflow among the two peoples, thereby forming a partner relationship on a still maturer basis.

Finally Kim said in an earnest way, the ties of the two countries are in the course of speedy development. It is very hard to avoid collisions or skirmishes but I believe all problems can be satisfactorily solved through talks and consultations on the basis of mutual benefit and in the principle of mutual respect to each other.

By People's Daily Online

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