China to work with ROK to promote bilateral relations, says Hu

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan during their meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 22, 2005.

Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Wednesday that China will work with the Republic of Korea ( ROK) to promote the further development of bilateral ties, thus helping bilateral overall and cooperative partnership yield more results.

Hu made the remarks at a meeting with visiting ROK Prime Minister Lee Hae-Chan, who arrived here Tuesday on a three-day official visit to China as guest of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Both sides also exchanged views during the meeting on such issues as the process of the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue and cooperation in northeast Asia.

They expressed the hope that all parties will make concerted efforts to actively push for the resumption of the six-party talks and safeguard peace, stability and development in the region.

In order to end the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue peacefully, China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the United States, Russia, the ROK and Japan have convened three rounds of six-party nuclear talks in Beijing.

Hu pointed to the rapid growth of bilateral relations since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 13 years ago and the consensus on building a strong partnership that was reached between Hu and ROK President Roh Moo-hyun during Roh's visit to China in 2003.

Hu mentioned the frequent exchanges of visits between leaders of the two countries and the increasing trust in recent years, as well as the expanding and fruitful cooperation in such fields as the economy, culture, education, science, technology and tourism.

He said the development of partnership conforms to the fundamental interests and the common aspiration of the two peoples, and enjoys strong vitality and good prospects.

Lee, who is on his first visit to China since he became prime minister, said this visit is so far fruitful and that the two sides have reached consensus on expanding cooperation.

China and the ROK witnessed a rapid growth in trade over recent years. In 2004, the volume of bilateral trade hit 90 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 42.4 percent. Bilateral trade is expected to exceed 100 billion US dollars this year.

China is the ROK's largest trade partner while the ROK is China 's fourth largest trade partner.

Source: Xinhua