Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) attends the welcome ceremony held by Roh Moo-hyun (L), President of the Republic of Korea, in Seoul Nov. 16, 2005. (Xinhua Photo)

    SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- China and South Korea agreed to enhance bilateral economic cooperation in a communique issued on Thursday during a state visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao.

    Leaders of the two countries are delighted to see that bilateral trade is expected to reach 100 billion US dollars in 2005, three years ahead of schedule, the document said.

    They also agreed that trade volume should be doubled to 200 billion dollars in 2012.

    The two leaders expressed concern over the impact of energy shortage on world economy and agreed to continue enhancing cooperation in areas such as oil reserve, power station construction and renewable energy resources.

    The two countries agreed to strengthen information exchange and cooperation in the prevention and management of bird flu outbreaks.

    South Korea said it would continue to join China's drive to develop its western region and revitalize its old industrial basesin the northeast. Enditem