Roh congratulates over Chinese cultural event in Seoul

South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun sent a congratulatory message on the "Experience China in South Korea," a 10-day Chinese cultural event that opened Thursday in Seoul.

In the message, Roh expressed his gladness over the event and thank those who have been organizing it.

Roh said, since the establishment of South Korea-China ties 14 years ago, relations between the two countries have enjoyed rapid development.

Currently, China has become South Korea's number one trading and investment partner and the number of personnel exchanges between them has increased to 10,000 times per day from some 200,000 times per year 14 years back, he said.

Roh said that cultural exchanges between the two nations, including those in the fields of film and television, are growing at a steady pace with time.

South Korea-China Cultural Year of 2007 would be a good opportunity to boost exchanges between the two peoples and enhance mutual understanding between them, Roh said.

South Korea aims to further expand the sphere of cooperation with China and join hands with China in building a peaceful and prosperous future on the basis of mutual respect and trust, said the South Korean president.

He wished the "Experience China in South Korea" event a big success, and called for support and attention to a similar event next year in China, which will feature the South Korean culture.

Source: Xinhua