Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with the visiting Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Song Min-soon on Friday afternoon in Beijing.

"Our relationship is of strategic significance, therefore your visit to China is very important", Wen told Song.

The two sides also exchanged views on China-ROK relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, according to information provided by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

During the trip, which also coincided with the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-ROK diplomatic relationship, Song also met with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, and held talks with his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing on Thursday.

The Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and the six-party talks were on the agenda of Song's meetings, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a regular press conference on Tuesday.

China's Premier also met on Friday with Rodrigo Rato Figaredo, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People's Bank of China, China's central bank, also attended the meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2007)