Liu Yunshan, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met in Beijing Thursday with a delegation of the URI Party of South Korea, headed by Chairman of the party Moon Hee-sang.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, said China-South Korea ties have grown rapidly since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 13 years ago.

The two sides have kept fruitful exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and political parties in the two countries have also conducted vigorous exchanges which play an active role in promoting Sino-South Korean ties, said Liu, who is also a secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee.

Moon expressed appreciation for the efforts the Chinese government and CPC had made for the success of the fourth round of the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

He said the URI Party is ready to further enhance exchanges with CPC, and push forward the overall healthy development of South Korea-China relations.

(Xinhua News Agency September 23, 2005)