The establishment and development of an all-round cooperative
partnership between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will push
forward bilateral good-neighborly friendship, said Chinese
President Hu Jintao in Beijing Monday.
Hu
made the remarks in talks with visiting ROK President Roh Moo-hyun
who arrived Monday on a four-day state visit to China as Hu's
guest.
The two presidents exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations
and international and regional issues of common concern, and
reached wide-ranging consensus.
Hu
pointed to the substantial development of bilateral relations since
they forged diplomatic ties, the benefits to the two peoples
brought about by cooperation, and the important contributions made
by the two sides to regional peace, stability and development.
He
characterized the development of Sino-ROK relations as "rapid
growth, remarkable achievements, vast potential and broad
prospects."
Hu
suggested the two countries strengthen high-level exchanges and
increase dialogue and exchanges at various levels; advance
bilateral cooperation in such fields as economics, trade, science,
technology, communications, energy and finance, and strive to
increase their annual trade volume to US$100 billion in five years;
and expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation in culture,
education, media and youth.
The two countries should also strengthen coordination and
cooperation in regional and international affairs to promote
regional and world peace and development, and they should address
promptly and properly bilateral issues and jointly safeguard their
friendship, said Hu.
Roh said bilateral relations had made rapid and all-round
development since the two countries established diplomatic ties 11
years ago, and the two countries had made encouraging achievements
in exchanges and cooperation in various fields.
Roh said the steady development of bilateral relations conformed to
the interests of the two countries and was conducive to regional
peace and stability.
The ROK hoped to enhance exchanges with China, especially bilateral
high-level visits and youth exchanges, noted Roh.
Besides, the ROK looked forward to strengthening bilateral economic
and trade relations, and promoting bilateral cooperation in such
fields as culture, education and society in a bid to establish
bilateral an all-round cooperative partnership, Roh said.
(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2003)