A series of cultural events will be launched today to promote understanding of China among South Koreans and push forward friendly cooperation between Beijing and Seoul, officials from China and South Korea said yesterday.

 

The events, entitled Experience China in the Republic of Korea 2006, will be the biggest-ever Chinese cultural gathering staged in South Korea since the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1992, Cai Wu, minister of the State Council Information Office, told a press conference.

 

The events were carried out under an agreement by President Hu Jintao and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun during the APEC summit in South Korea's southeastern port city of Busan last November, Cai said.

 

He stressed that the events reflected the progress of all-around partnership between China and South Korea and will register in the history of Beijing-Seoul relations.

 

"Experience China in South Korea 2006 will boost the South Korean people's understanding of China and help further develop friendly cooperation between the two nations," said Yoo Jae-woong, director of the Korean Overseas Information Service (KOIS).

 

"It will be a successful event and lead to a win-win result," Yoo said.

 

The event, cosponsored by the Chinese Information Office of the State Council and the KOIS, will be kicked off today.

 

There will also be a display of about 500 photos portraying the 14-year relations between China and South Korea since 1992.

 

(China Daily September 21, 2006)