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Power of partnership

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-27 07:39

Leaders of the two countries are expected to give more substance to the bilateral ties during ROK (Republic of Korea) President Lee Myung-bak's four-day China visit, which starts today.

The two countries are expected to upgrade their ties from the partnership of comprehensive cooperation to the strategic level.

China follows the United States and Japan in Lee's overseas itinerary.

It is reported that some people in the Blue House worried about the Lee administration's neglect of China after Lee assumed office.

Ever since his election, Lee has spelled out the major programs and policies of his presidency, including ROK's relations with other countries.

His China visit should drive home an important message.

Since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1992, the two countries have enhanced their relationship from friendly cooperation to "cooperative partnership" during the Kim Dae-jung administration to "the partnership of comprehensive cooperation" under the Roh Moo-hyun administration.

The possible "strategic" addition to the bilateral relations means the two countries will expand their cooperation from the economic to all areas, including diplomacy and national security.

In this sense, ROK president's visit will inject new warmth into the bilateral relationship.

Still, the summit meeting between President Hu Jintao and Lee this afternoon will predictably focus on diplomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

China has played an important and constructive part in the peace process on the peninsula.

Lee will spend half of his time in China on business activities, visiting the places such as Qingdao in Shandong province, where ROK corporations are based.

China is ROK's biggest trading partner while ROK is China's third largest trading partner and fourth source of investment. A free trade agreement between the two countries will certainly add momentum to the overall relationship.

China and ROK are neighbors that have gone through a long history. They are two important players in northeast Asia. They should join hands to contribute to the settlement of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and for the establishment of a security mechanism in the region.

Lee's China visit should be an opportunity for the two countries to draw a long-term blueprint on their relations and the contributions they can make to regional and world peace and prosperity.

(China Daily 05/27/2008 page8)