Special report: Premier Wen visits ROK, Japan

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) shakes hands with his Republic of Korea counterpart Han Duck-soo in Seoul, capital of the Republic of Korea, April 10, 2007. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) Photo Gallery>>>

    SEOUL, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met his South Korean counterpart Han Duck-soo here on Tuesday afternoon, with both sides expressing willingness to boost bilateral and regional cooperation.

    Wen, who arrived here on Tuesday morning for an official visit, said China is satisfied with the rapid development of cooperation in various fields between China and South Korea since the two countries established diplomatic ties 15 years ago.

    "We are ready to join efforts with South Korea to continuously push the Sino-South Korean all-round partnership of cooperation forward," Wen said, adding that enhancing and developing bilateral ties is China's set foreign policy.

    At present, both sides should focus on the activities of celebrating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-South Korean diplomatic ties and the China-South Korea Exchange Year, in order to increase communication and cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, culture, education and tourism, Wen said.

    The Chinese premier highlighted the implementation of a development layout of long-and-medium-term economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, saying that the scale of cooperation should be expanded and the level of cooperation should be upgraded.

    As for the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Wen said coordination and cooperation between the two countries should be strengthened to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of regional peace and stability as soon as possible.

    For his part, Han said that Sino-South Korean ties have enjoyed rapid development and has transformed into an all-round partnership of cooperation in the past 15 years, thereby setting an example for state-to-state cooperation.

    The China-South Korea Exchange Year is very important to bilateral cooperation, Han added, vowing to join efforts with China to make it a successful event.

    South Korea hopes to continue to push forward the joint study of building a free trade zone with China, as well as to promote bilateral cooperation in trade, telecommunication, nuclear energy and railway, to enhance communication and coordination in regional and world affairs, the South Korean prime minister said.