At the invitation of Chinese Primier Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister of the ROK Lee Hae-chan started his first official visit to China on June 21. On the eve of the visit PM Lee accepted a written interview by People's Daily, saying he expects this visit to be a good opportunity of pushing the bilateral relations to a higher level.

PM Lee has a great admiration for China's development. He said in its enduring history China has created splendid oriental cultural heritage and value norms. Since the reform and opening up China's economy develops at a high annual speed of 9 percent and has achieved exclamation-inducing progress. He believes China's splendid achievements cannot be separated from the remarkable leadership of Chinese leaders such as Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, Chinese people's outstanding wisdom, joint effort and noble spirit of commitment. He said a population of 1.3 billion, vast territory and constantly developing technologies will become the driving force of China's continuing development. China's development is certain to make contribution to the common prosperity of countries in the region. He believes that large international activities such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Shanghai Expo will be great success, that they are opportunities of developing China into a responsible world power respected by the international community.

PM Lee Hae-chan gives a high appraisal of the development since the establishment of the ROK-China diplomatic relations. He said since the establishment in 1992 the cooperation in the political, economic and cultural areas have made huge progress. On the basis of comprehensive partnership the bilateral relations are heading for a new type of relationship oriented toward the 21st century.

China has become the ROK's largest trading partner, largest export country and largest investment target country last year, said PM Lee. The goal agreed upon by President Roh Moo-hyun and President Hu Jintao in July 2003 to realize a trade volume of $100 billion within five years may very well be realized this year. About 30,000 ROK businesses have settled in China. Last year saw 3.5 million person times of bilateral visits. "Chinese wind" and "Korean current" are constantly heating up in both countries. He said since exchange in various areas is deepening, the ROK-China relations are developing into mutually beneficial cooperation. In the spirit of good neighborhood and friendly cooperation both countries successfully settled the trade disputes and various consulate issues in the process of development.

PM Lee Hae-chan is optimistic about future development of the bilateral relations. He said in the last 20 years China's economy developed rapidly, catching the attention of the world. China is and will be the ROK's more important economic and trading partner. The two countries' substantial cooperation has great potential for development. From now on the bilateral relations will head for common prosperity oriented toward the future and become a mutually beneficial partnership oriented toward the 21st century.

Regarding the peace, security and cooperation in Northeast Asia, PM Lee Hae-chan believes that after the Cold War Northeast Asia as a whole is stable. However, due to the history textbook and territorial dispute issues there exist suspicion and distrust. On the other hand, as economic activities such as trade and investment increase in the region there is also a trend of growing interdependence. Meanwhile, the region sees growing factors threatening regional security. In order to crack down on transnational crime, terrorist events and drug etc. the various countries should make joint efforts to seek solution through dialogue and cooperation. He believes the most destabilizing factor in the Northeast Asia region is the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. To peacefully solve this issue the various parties are now actively conducting close cooperation to reopen the six-party talks.

PM Lee Hae-chan said the objective of this visit is to exchange opinions with the Chinese leaders on deepening and developing all-round partnership, jointly explore new solutions and push the bilateral relations to a new stage. He wishes the People's Republic of China prosperity and strength, the Chinese people peace and happiness.

By People's Daily Online