Top political advisor Jia Qinglin said in Beijing Tuesday that China will work with South Korea to boost the all-round cooperative partnership between the two sides.

 

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), spoke highly of bilateral relations in a meeting with visiting Speaker of the South Korean National Assembly Kim One-ki.

 

The two countries enjoy a long history of friendly relations, and bilateral relations have witnessed rapid development in recent years, Jia said.

 

The two sides enjoy frequent high level visits, rapid growth of economic and trade ties, and close exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, science, technology and personnel exchanges, Jia said, noting that China and South Korea also keep close coordination in international and regional affairs.

 

Jia said President Hu Jintao made a successful visit to South Korea in 2005. Hu and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun jointly set a series of specific goals of further development of China-South Korea relations, lifting bilateral ties to a new level, Jia noted.

 

"China is ready to join with South Korea to implement the decided goals," Jia said.

 

Jia said the CPPCC would further enhance exchanges and cooperation in various levels with the South Korean National Assembly, in an effort to make a contribution to the development of China-South Korea relations.

 

Kim expressed appreciation for China's achievements in economic and social development.

 

South Korea and China have witnessed frequent high-level visits and rapid development of bilateral relations since forging diplomatic ties, Kim said.

 

Kim and Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China signed an agreement Monday to launch a regular exchange mechanism between the two top legislatures.

 

Kim told Jia that the establishment of the exchange mechanism indicated that the relations between South Korean and Chinese legislatures entered a new phase.

 

"The South Korean National Assembly hopes to further promote exchanges and cooperation with the CPPCC," Kim said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2006)