Experience China in the Republic of Korea 2006 will showcase a series of cultural events to promote understanding of China among South Koreans and improve friendly cooperation between Beijing and Seoul.

This will be the ROK's largest-ever Chinese cultural gathering since 1992, Cai Wu, minister of the State Council Information Office, told a press conference yesterday.

The events were designed according to an agreement between Chinese President Hu Jintao and ROK President Roh Moo-hyun during the Busan APEC summit in South Korea last November, Cai said.

Cai stressed that the festival would be a landmark in Beijing-Seoul relations and reflect the two nations' bilateral partnership.

"Experience China in South Korea 2006 will boost the ROK people's understanding of China and help further develop friendly cooperation between the two nations," said Yoo Jae-woong, director of the Korean Overseas Information Service (KOIS). "It will be a successful event and lead to a win-win result," Yoo said.

Co-sponsored by the Chinese Information Office of the State Council and the KOIS, the event will also display of about 500 photos portraying the 14-year relations between China and the ROK since 1992.

(China Daily September 21, 2006)