Chinese premier stresses importance of maintaining Sino-ROK relation

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Monday that the relationship between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) has achieved sound development in general and it is important to keep it in the right direction.

Wen made the remarks Monday during his meeting with ROK President Roh Moo-hyun on the sideline of the ongoing two-day 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit that opened Monday in Vientiane.

The Chinese premier said the Sino-ROK cooperation, especially in economic and trade fields, has been witnessing a fast growth, adding that the two sides should value the achievements.

On the development of the Sino-ROK relations, Wen proposed to maintain the momentum in high-level exchanges, to further expand the cooperation in economic and trade fields, to promote exchanges in cultural, educational, scientific and technological fields, to strengthen communications between the two sides and properly settle the issues of mutual concern.

Roh said that he agreed with Wen's views and suggestions.

He said his country will seek new ways for pushing ahead with the Sino-ROK economic and trade relations.

The ROK president hoped for a greater achievement in the bilateral trade relations.

He said that the promotion of cultural and educational exchanges as well as exchanges between young people in the two countries are of great importance for enhancing mutual understanding, adding ROK will push ahead with the related development.

Roh said ROK is willing to have a closer tie with China on Northeast Asian regional cooperation and international affairs.

The two sides also exchanged views on settlement of nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsular.

Wen appreciated ROK's policy of "peace and prosperity" and expected ROK to uphold the general direction of reconciliation and cooperation, in an effort to improve its relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Roh said ROK valued the Chinese government's great efforts in pushing ahead with the six-party talks.

He also hoped that the parties concerned would be flexible so as to make it possible to hold the next round of six-party talks at an early date.