Bilateral cooperation driving force in economic growth: Premier Li

China and the Republic of Korea should give play to complementary strengths and step up economic and trade cooperation to make bilateral cooperation a driving force in regional and world economic growth, Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday. 

In talks with ROK President Moon Jae-in in Chengdu, Li said China stands ready to step up alignment in development strategy with the ROK with an inclusive and open attitude. Moon arrived in Chengdu on Monday afternoon to attend the eighth China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting. 

He called upon both sides to explore opportunities for cooperation in taping into third-party markets, innovation in science and technology and the service sector, and bolster cooperation in coping with climate change and environmental protection. 

China attaches great importance to bilateral relations, and is willing to handle the relationship from a long-term perspective and in big-picture terms, he said, adding that the two sides should enhance mutual political trust and expand win-win cooperation.  

As this year marks the 20th anniversary of the cooperation mechanism between China, Japan and the ROK, China is ready to step up trilateral cooperation and uphold multilateralism and free trade, he said. 

Li highlighted the importance of pushing for signing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement at an early date and working towards substantial progress in trilateral free trade talks. 

Moon said it is his belief that the different sides should work together and jointly cope with challenges in the face of global slowdown and mounting uncertainties. 

The ROK is willing to work with China to achieve quicker results in tapping into third-party markets and increase people-to-people exchanges, he said.