Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea (ROK) is
arriving in Beijing today. His visit is the best way to wind up the
Year of Exchange between China and the ROK.
When leaders of the two countries decided to improve the
exchange, they meant one at all levels. A better understanding of
each other will lay a solid foundation for further cooperation. The
Year of Exchange is expected to reduce the gap between the two
peoples, the younger generations in particular. The future of the
bilateral relations is in their hands.
The fact that more than 500,000 South Koreans stay in China
frequently shows how close China-ROK relations are.
During his visit to the neighboring country in April, Premier
Wen Jiabao and his ROK counterpart Han Duck-soo had face-to-face
talks with young people from the two countries. Getting together in
China and ROK, the youth of the two countries now better know each
other and the importance of relations between their countries.
China and the ROK have moved closer in a very short period of
time as they established their diplomatic relations in 1992. The
complementary nature of the two economies has made it possible for
their close cooperation. Also, the two countries have cooperated
closely in diplomatic affairs, environmental protection, fight
against terrorism, and nuclear non-proliferation.
Han has said that China plays an irreplaceable part in
establishing a peace mechanism in the Korean Peninsula and
maintaining peace in Northeast Asia and the world. He said the ROK
government would be responsible for continuing cooperation with
China.
The change of names for the bilateral relations in the past 15
years is a vivid reflection of their rapid growth. After announcing
the establishment of "a cooperative partnership toward the 21st
century," China is committed to developing its trade with the ROK
and cooperating with it in keeping the situation on Korean
Peninsula stable, making the North-South summit possible and
improving Democratic People's Republic of Korea's relations with
the US.
In 2000 China's suggestion that the two elevate their
partnership to comprehensive cooperation was well received by the
ROK. The two announced the establishment of a partnership of
comprehensive cooperation in 2003.
Strategically, it was an important option for both.
(China Daily December 10, 2007)
