China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Monday agreed to work for the
early resumption of direct talks to resolve the nuclear issue in
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Both Chinese President Hu
Jintao and visiting ROK President Roh Moo-hyun agreed the
nuclear issue in the DPRK should be settled peacefully through
talks, and the Korean Peninsula should be nuclear free.
"China at the same time held that the security concerns of the DPRK
should be taken into account," Hu said after emerging from a
two-hour meeting with Roh, which both described as "satisfactory"
and "fruitful."
Roh said that he appreciated China's constructive role in settling
the nuclear issue, and Hu said China was willing to continue its
efforts to "find the most effective way to break the deadlock and
avoid the situation from deteriorating."
Hu
said that the two countries agreed on building an "all-round
cooperative partnership," which would have a great impact on
bilateral ties.
The two countries also agreed to push the annual bilateral trade
volume to US$100 billion in five years.
Statistics show that trade between the ROK and China has increased
to US$44 billion from US$5 billion since they normalized diplomatic
relations in 1992.
Roh said the trade volume had a 20 percent annual increase in
recent years, and there would be no problem in achieving the
goal.
However, Roh said, the two sides should intensify capital and
technological cooperation to promote trade and economic
cooperation. "The ROK and China should become a regional economic
community," the ROK president said.
Roh said the ROK would like to participate in developing China's
western regions. The two countries also agreed that the ROK would
establish a general consulate in Chengdu, capital of China's
southwest Sichuan Province.
Roh said China's rapid economic growth was not a threat, but an
opportunity for prosperity and cooperation. China's development
benefited the ROK and the long-term development of the bilateral
ties, and was also conducive to regional and world peace and
development.
Hu
said the Chinese government would promote Sino-ROK cooperative
relations of mutual benefit according to the guide line of treating
neighbors as friends and partners.
Roh invited Hu to visit the ROK, and Hu accepted the invitation
with pleasure, according to Roh.
(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2003)