Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Lim Chae-jung on Wednesday and both sides pledged to further bilateral ties.

Wen, who arrived in Seoul on Tuesday morning for his first visit as premier to South Korea, said China is ready to join efforts with South Korea to further deepen the Sino-South Korean comprehensive cooperative partnership.

Since China and South Korea are both important countries in northeast Asia, enhanced bilateral relations between the two countries conform to the fundamental interests of both peoples, and are conducive to regional peace and stability, Wen said.

Exchange between the two countries' legislatures is a very important aspect of bilateral ties, Wen said, adding that the national assemblies of both countries have successfully launched a regular exchange mechanism.

For his part, Lim said South Korea hopes to strengthen economic and trade ties with China in a bid to contribute to the prosperity of northeast Asia.

As partners of all-round cooperation, South Korea and China enjoy close communications in politics, economy and culture, and have achieved tremendous progress, he said, adding that South Korea is willing to enhance economic and trade ties with China.

On the same day, Wen also met with Uri Party speaker Jong Sae-kyun and the Grand National Party representative Kang Jae-sop. Wen said China supports exchanges between the two countries' parties, which have played an important role in developing bilateral ties.

Wen will travel to Japan later on Wednesday on what he has described as an "ice-thawing" tour.

(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2007)