Thank you, President Zhao Zhenyuan, President Keehyun Park, teachers and students of Kyung Hee University.

    As proposed by the leaders of both countries, a series of activities for the Year of the Sino-Korean National Exchange will be held to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Korean diplomatic relations. Our meeting at Kyung Hee University is the first item of the agenda, and I am here as the chairman of the organization committee. The moment I arrived at the university, I was impressed by her beauty. From across the road one can see a board that reads: Create a World of Culture. After hearing President Zhao's introduction, I was more convinced that the university is of a cultural spirit, as well as dynamic thought. Meanwhile, Kyung Hee University is the envoy of friendship between China and Korea. I am honored to be here, standing on the solemn platform of the university.

    The Sino-Korean relationship is in an active period. This morning on the plane I read the People's Daily, the largest newspaper in China. Among the four front-page news pieces, three were about the Sino-Korean relationship. Yesterday, Prime Minster Zhu Rongji met with the Korean foreign and cultural ministers and guests attending the Seminar of Sino-Korean Economy. The newspaper vividly represented the current situation of the Sino-Korean relationship: our political, economic and cultural relationships have gained all-round development. Less than 10 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, the bilateral relations have warmed up steadily. The total volume of bilateral trade has climbed from 5 billion in 1992 to 35 billion last year. In 1992, there were only 200,000 travelers between the two countries, while last year the number shot up to 2,200,000. Besides official contacts, 56 cities became sister cities in the past 10 years.

    Now, in China, the Chinese people are already quite familiar with Korean pop music, TV dramas and opera Hwangjini shown in China the year before, which was organized by President Keehyun Park, as well. They call this close and warm relationship Korean Popularity.

    Even several prestigious diplomats consider it a miracle that the Sino-Korean relationship has developed to such a high degree over the past 10 years, and such a development is surprising and admirable to many countries. On February 19, The Financial Times ran an article named China, North Korea reaffirm friendly cooperative relations. Some people do not understand how in such a short period of time there could be such rapid growth in Sino- Korean relations. For my part, there are three conspicuous aspects.

    Firstly, China and Korea are neighbors. The geographic locations determined this. The duration of my flight from Beijing to Seoul was even shorter than some domestic flights. The two countries have a long history of warm relations and affinities in culture and traditions. Naturally, the people of the two countries are also on intimate terms.

    Secondly, although the conditions of the two countries are different, their economic states are complementary and bilateral economic cooperation remains on a mutually beneficial basis. The communication and cooperation between the two countries profit the people and contribute to the peace, steadiness and development of the Asia Pacific and the world at large.

    Thirdly, the rapid growth of the Sino-Korean relationship is not only due to the advocacy and efforts of the leaders of the two countries, but also to the support and understanding from the people. In other words, the Sino-Korean relationship is built on substantial political and broad public foundations.

    The development of the Sino-Korean relationship was remarkable in the past 10 years; however, I believe that the decade was only the prelude to the whole process. The new century has just begun, and we still have a lot of work to do.

    Chairman Jiang Zemin, Premier Zhu Rongji and President Kim Dae Jung have met on several occasions. The leaders of the two countries have reached the common understanding that the friendly cooperative relationship between the two countries should be expanded to a new stage of all-round cooperation. We should attach importance to two points in such a partnership.

    Firstly, in the past 10 years, the two countries have focused on economic cooperation and communication; in the future, we should inherit the economic collaboration and enhance culture exchanges base on it. The all-round development of our relationship is achieved only when our politics, economies and cultures are all closely related.

    Secondly, the two countries should set up a substantial foundation to stabilize and further expand the Sino-Korean relationship, and the foundation for further expansion should be established on the popular sentiments. The deep understanding and extensive support from the public is indispensable to catalyzing the process of the Sino-Korean relationship, and nothing could be better than art and culture, which will connect Chinese and Korean people. Therefore, from my point of view, the essential task we are facing currently is to make people advance their understanding of each other via communication on art and culture to establish a steady friendship.

    In addition, I would like to emphasize the role of the youth. The youth is the future of the nation, and they are also devoted to the development of the Sino-Korean friendship in the future. We hope that the communications and exchanges between youth can be further boosted and penetrated into the progress of development in the coming decade and beyond. The youth is committed to the future world and is the key to the long-range expansion of the Sino-Korean relationship. This is why such activities as the visit to Kyung Hee University were arranged in the first place.

    This is the first time that I have communicated directly with Korean youth, although I have already visited Korea on two occasions. On the way to Kyung Hee University, I was picturing the image of Korean youth in my mind. What has impressed me greatly was the moment in 1997 and 1998 when the financial crisis struck Korea. At that time, the Korean economy was extremely weakened; however, the Korean people expressed their patriotism at that crucial moment, which moved me deeply. Many young students donated all of their money and valuables to the government and supported their country to help soften the blow of the Asian financial crisis. Judging from their actions during the disaster, I can see the bright future and hope of the Korean nation and the Chinese people, who are willing to befriend the Korean people and youth.

    As a university student 30 years ago, my time at the university was precious and youthfulness was more admirable than treasures and wealth, fame and prestige. To all university students: the time is yours, and the future is yours, as well. There is an abundance of time for the youth to be dedicated to national development, the world and humanity. When I was a young student, I had a great sense of affection for my country and people, just as you do today. And I learned a truth from history and reality: the development and prosperity of any nation or any people is bound to the world; a youth with aspiration should face the world with love and a broad mind. I suggest that we step up to enhancing the understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Korean people since we are determined to devote ourselves to the development of our countries and our nation. Based on our present efforts, let's look into the future and compose the new melody of Sino-Korean cultural communication in the new century.

    There is a group of youth interested in looking back on history. Indeed, for the advancement of humanity, for the Sino-Korean friendship, our ancestors have made great efforts, respectable improvements and outstanding achievements that stand out as we look back on history. At the same time, we should be conscious that what we have done today will also become a part of history. Let's join hands together to promote Sino-Korean communication and cooperation and contribute to the peace in Asia and the world. Tomorrow, people will be proud of what we have done today.

    Thank you for your attention. I am ready to address any questions.

    Q&A Section

    Q: I am a student majoring in management at Kyung Hee University. It is known that America has greatly influenced Korea in many aspects. I would like to know, in your opinion, what will be the influence of China on Korea in the coming days?

    A: I will not make more comments on how America has influenced Korean in the past. As for China, she is opening to the world sincerely, without any intensive attention. It depends on Korea what it absorbs from other countries and what it uses for reference. Korea has reserved her national characteristics and concept of values, meanwhile, she continues to advance and substantiates herself with what she learned from other countries and believed to be beneficial. It is a significant point to the nations of the world, as is the principle that the Chinese notable liberator Mr. Lu Xun advocated. I hope that Korean youth can focus on the globe, make their own decisions as to what is profitable to them and the nation and absorb them, rejecting the useless ones, as well. That depends on their own opinions.

    Q: I would like to ask Minister Sun what he thinks of the current situation of non-governmental cultural exchanges between China and Korea. What do you expect of this kind of cultural exchange without government interference?

    A: First of all, I think that the non-governmental cultural exchanges are the foundation of the Sino-Korean relationship. As a matter of fact, they have contributed to the enhancement of Sino-Korean political relations. The communication between Kyung Hee University and Chinese universities is non-governmental, as well, and Kyung Hee University is the envoy of the non-governmental cultural exchange between the two countries. Nonetheless, I believe that we still need to expand and promote Sino-Korean non-governmental cultural communications in the future. As the Chinese minister of culture, I will fully support communications between societies, organizations and individuals in the field of arts and culture in the two countries.

    Q: Minister Sun, you have just expressed your view on the communication between youth. As I know, the Chinese government has already set up many patriotic education foundations for the youth. Will you consider taking Kyung Hee University as one of those foundations of patriotic education?

    A: That is a point that also merits our attention. In my opinion, both the Chinese and Korean governments, cultural organizations, colleges and universities should be concerned about the communication between the young generation. Issues of Chinese youth education focus on two core matters; the first is emphasizing the importance of patriotism. In the 1930s, a famous Chinese revolutionist said that a youth student's patriotism is as pure and fascinating as a girl's first love. Patriotic education can motivate a youth's enthusiasm. Meanwhile, young students are taught to contribute their love to the world and humanity as what they contribute to the country, which makes them peaceable and broadminded. Indeed, Kyung Hee University has already become an ideal site for Chinese and Korean youth to exchange their ideas and enhance their friendship.

    In the period of the Sino-Japanese War, Koreas founded a temporary government in Shanghai and Chongqing. The relic has been well preserved and many young students visit it even today. They are not only studying the anti-invasion history of the Chinese people, but also the anti-invasion history of the Korean people. The students benefit from this a lot. I hope that with the cooperation of Chinese universities, Kyung Hee University will succeed in education on patriotism and international amicability under President Zhao's leadership. I think all of you will agree with this.

    Q: I'm a student from Kyung Hee University. I would like to know which character in the story of the Three Kingdoms you liked best, and why?

    A: The characters in the The Romance of the Three Kingdoms are all depicted with distinctive features and Guan Yu is my favorite. Despite his weaknesses, he has a strong character and sense of justice. In fact, my personal view is dominated by Chinese traditional conceptions. Guan Yu is regarded as a top heroic figure in the The Romance of Three Kingdoms. In Chinese people's minds, the sage of culture is Confucius, and the warrior sage is Guan Yu. This is an academic standpoint where opinions are welcome.

    Q: I'm a professor from the department of history at Kyung Hee University. Korea was affected by America over the past half century. However, Korea and China have established their companionship for 1,000 years and the influence of China on Korea cannot be neglected; this is what troubles me. Since the 1990s, culture conflict theory has prevailed and American scholars also raised the point that eastern culture circles inclining towards Confucianism will clash with the western culture circles moving towards Christianity. What is Minister Sun's opinion on this point?

    A: The problem that troubles you also plagues Chinese scholars. Actually, it includes two important issues; the first is the conflict of the nation and the world. The nation should persist in opening to the outside world, adapting advantages from all quarters, unceasingly implementing and enhancing itself, while keeping in mind to reserve traditions and distinguishing features.

    The other issue involves talking about the conflict of tradition and modernism. It is important to strengthen self-esteem and a sense of pride and reserve a nation's traditions since only a unique, national culture can acknowledge the nation in the world. China is holding such a policy on adopting American culture. We are now opening to the world and importing what is beneficial to our country. However, we refuse to import violence and pornography. The development of national culture is the top issue we face at present, which is related to the second issue I've mentioned -- the conflict of tradition and modernism. People cannot discard of tradition, just like a tree cannot survive without its roots. However, traditions should integrate and advance with modern times, and innovation is also an indispensable component. Modernization of traditional culture is a critical issue that the minister of culture should consider and treat seriously. Communication emerged because of cultural diversity, and cultural communication promotes the prosperity of all nations and regions. Culture conflict theory is groundless. Thanks for your question.

    Q: I would like to ask Minister Sun to give us some suggestions on what Korea needs to do to ensure the success of hosting the Japan-Korea World Cup?

    A: I think the Korean government has already done excellent preparations for the World Cup. The officials simplified the entry formalities for the convenience of Chinese soccer fans. From the moment I arrived at the airport, I noticed that road signs and guideboards on the street were all marked in three languages -- Korean, Chinese and English. Three points involved in hosting large activities are noticeable. The first is the security problem -- a key factor to the success of the activities. Great pressures abound about keeping a vigilant eye on the security issue. Another problem is the level and quality of the match. The match should reflect a high-standard competition no matter what the result. The last issue is the power of the media. The media take the responsibility to transmit the games to the public and the world, and it is necessary to improve attitudes towards them. I believe Korea would fulfill the task successfully in all three aspects.

    Q: I'm a student majoring in tourism. I would like to ask Minster Sun if he is free now, and where he would like to travel, and why?

    A: The official visit is my work, which means either talks or cheers at banquets. Although the topics for discussion are always of great importance, they are mostly unappealing. If I'm free, I would prefer to visit an ordinary Korean family and live with them for a couple of days to experience their daily life; or visit student dormitories and spend time with them reminiscing about the good old days at university. However, I may not have such freedom now.

(Source: China Daily)