In a message to his South Korean counterpart, Kim Dae-jung, Chinese President Jiang Zemin said that over the past 10 years, the cooperative partnership between China and South Korea has enjoyed all-round development, and the friendship between the two peoples has deepened.

"The substantial development of the relationship between China and South Korea since the establishment of diplomatic ties is in conformity with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and two countries, and has generated positive influence on peace and development in Asia and the whole world," Jiang said.

He stressed the Chinese government attaches great importance to the good-neighborly relations of friendship between the two countries, and will continue to consolidate and promote the cooperative partnership in all respects.

"Looking into the 21st century, we will cooperate with the South Korean government in keeping the friendship between the two peoples, seeking and expanding the common interests of the two countries and creating a more brilliant future for bilateral relations," Jiang said.

South Korean President Kim Dae-jung said in his message that bilateral relations between South Korea and China have achieved epoch-making development over the past 10 years in all fields.

He noted the two countries' trade volume has increased sevenfold in the past 10 years and that South Korea's investment in China is 80 times what it was in 1992. The number of visitors between the two countries has soared to 23 times its previous level.

China became South Korea's biggest investment partner last year and will become the top destination for South Korean citizens, Kimsaid.

The two countries also cooperate actively in maintaining peace and prosperity in the Korean peninsular and East Asia, he added. With the consensus reached by both sides in 2000 on pushing the partnership to a new level of all-round cooperation, South Korea and China have achieved close cooperation in East Asian and world affairs, he said.

Kim attributed the remarkable development of bilateral ties to the common efforts made by the two governments based on mutual trust and friendship, and expressed his cordial respect and gratitude to the Chinese government and its people.

He hoped the trust and friendship between the two governments will be consolidated and bilateral relations will enjoy further development in the future.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his South Korean counterpart, Han Seung-soo, also exchanged congratulatory messages on the same day.

(Xinhua News Agency August 24, 2002)