Hu, Lee meet on China-ROK relations

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-25 15:31

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) waves as he walks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (R) during a welcoming ceremony at the Blue House in Seoul August 25, 2008. [Agencies]

SEOUL -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met with his counterpart of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Lee Myung-bak, in Seoul on Monday to exchange views on furthering China-ROK relations.

Following their talks, the two leaders are expected to attend a signing ceremony for cooperation documents between the two countries.

During Hu's visit, China and the ROK would sign a number of cooperation deals on energy conservation, high-tech, economy, trade, education and the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry officials.

President Hu and President Lee are also expected to meet the press later in the day.

The Chinese leader arrived in Seoul just a few hours ago for a state visit to the ROK.

Cooperative relations between China and the ROK have been developing constantly and steadily since the two countries established diplomatic ties 16 years ago.

The two countries have maintained frequent exchanges of high-level visits and bilateral trade cooperation has witnessed a fast expansion. China has become the ROK's biggest trading partner with two-way trade totaling $159 billion last year.

In the first five months of this year, bilateral trade increased by 24 percent compared with the corresponding period of 2007. The two countries also have had good coordination in regional and international affairs.

Lee paid a visit to China in May this year. He also attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on August 8 and met the Chinese president during his stay in Beijing.

The ROK is the first leg of Hu's three-nation tour, which will also take him to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. In the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, the Chinese president will attend the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.