Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday said he expected China
and South Korea to accelerate progress towards a bilateral Free
Trade Area (FTA).
"China and South Korea should come up with a mutually beneficial
FTA proposal at an early date and thus lead the way towards the
FTA," Wen said on Thursday, during an interview with journalists
from 19 South Korean news organizations.
The interview came ahead of Wen's South Korea trip on April 10
and 11, the first such visit by a Chinese premier in eight
years.
Addressing trade relations, Wen spoke of China's appreciation of
South Korea's recognition of it as a full market economy.
Since diplomatic ties were established in 1992, the trade volume
between the two neighbors has vaulted by 26 times to stand at
US$130 billion in 2006.
"The close trade ties enjoyed by China and South Korea show our
faith in the principles of equality and mutual benefit," Wen
said.
Wen reminded the press of a trade target of US$200 billion by
2012, set by Chinese President Hu Jintao and South Korean
counterpart Roh Moon-hyun during meetings in 2005 and
2006.?
This trade target formed part of five investment and trade
liberalization measures and 12 key areas of cooperation, as defined
by the two leaders.
"As a result of economic globalization, China-South Korea trade
ties have entered a new era, and we must face this era in a renewed
spirit of cooperation," Wen said.
Wen urged that the areas of energy preservation, environmental
protection, high-tech and information industry be targeted for
closer collaboration.
Turning to international platforms, Wen also laid out the
benefits of increasing consultations through the World Trade
Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and other
international mechanisms.
Wen's two-day visit will coincide with the China-South Korea
Exchange Year, which will include 47 exchange programs initiated by
the Chinese side.
During his stay in Seoul, Wen will launch the exchange year with
South Korean leaders.
Commenting on the six-party talks aimed at resolving the Korean
Peninsula nuclear issue, Wen reiterated that all parties would need
to consult further to push for a peace mechanism.
As for reunification of the Korean Peninsula, Wen said this
issue was for the ROK and DPRK to decide "independently and
peacefully," adding that mutual trust should develop between the
two countries to help improve ties.?
Wen will visit South Korea at the invitation of South Korean
President Roh Moo-hyun.
(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2007)
