Asia-Pacific
China, South Korea to expand co-op in new situation
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-12-18 21:21
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SEOUL: China and South Korea see the importance of their bilateral ties and will expand their exchanges and cooperation under the new situation, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said Friday.
"We would like to work with South Korea to push forward the relationship to benefit the two peoples," Xi said at a breakfast meeting hosted by the South Korea-China Friendship Association.
Noting the profound changes in world and regional political and economic situations, Xi said both China and South Korea are at a crucial stage of social and economic development.
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As close neighbors, China and South Korea have enjoyed a long-term friendship, he said. Their cooperation on trade, personnel exchanges and other areas has expanded rapidly since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1992, he said.
Their trade volume hit US $180 billion last year, 37 times that of 1992 levels, and the South Koreans living in China and the Chinese in South Korea now total more than 1.3 million people, Xi said, adding that there are more than 830 flights each week between the two countries.
Such frequent contacts and cooperation have boosted the economies of the two countries and benefited their peoples while contributing the peace and stability of northeast Asia, Xi said.
Xi also appreciated the South Korea-China Friendship Association's contribution to bilateral ties and cooperation. He expressed hope for the group to continue efforts in promoting exchanges between the two countries.
Park Sam-koo, chairman of the association, said cooperation between South Korea and China in the political, economic, cultural and arts fields has constantly developed since the countries forged diplomatic ties 17 years ago. He said he believed Xi's visit would push the two nations' relations to a new height.
