The Chinese government places great importance on relations with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and is ready to further develop bilateral links, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Friday.

Wen said at a meeting with ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yoon Young-kwan that Sino-ROK relations had grown rapidly and had great potential for further development. Bilateral cooperation had achieved remarkable results since the two countries established diplomatic links a decade ago.

He said the two countries maintained regular high-level exchanges and continued to deepen mutual trust. They had become major cooperative economic partners and expanded the volume of trade and investment from year to year.

Wen said China had been consistent in its stance on the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) nuclear issue. The Chinese government held that the issue had to be solved peacefully and through dialogue. Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula had to be insisted on and the security of the DPRK should be guaranteed. China would continue to make unremitting efforts to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Wen expressed the wish that relevant countries should remain calm and restrained and not take any actions that may further exacerbate the situation.

Yoon said the ROK President and government attached great importance to friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. All-round and extensive development of bilateral economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, personnel contact and cooperation in various fields had not only brought about important mutual benefits, but played an active role in regional peace and prosperity. Bilateral relations enjoyed a bright future.

He thanked the Chinese government for its long, active efforts to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The ROK government would pursue a policy of peace and prosperity toward the DPRK and continue to work for peaceful solutions to existing issues through dialogue.

(China Daily April 12, 2003)