Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with his South Korean counterpart Yoon Young-kwan in Seoul Wednesday on bilateral relations and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear issue.

"The Sino-South Korean ties have developed rapidly in the fields of politics, economy, science and technology as well as culture," the Chinese top diplomat commented on the bilateral relations between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

He added that the two countries also have communications and cooperation in dealing with international and regional affairs.

Li Zhaoxing said China is willing to make efforts to fulfill the common understanding reached by Chinese President Hu Jintao and ROK President Roh Moo-hyun in the latter's Chinese trip. In Roh's visit to China last month, the two top leaders agreed to promote bilateral ties to all-around cooperation and friendship relations.

The South Korean foreign minister agreed with Lee's remarks, saying "China and ROK have broad common interests in many aspects. And since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Seoul, bilateral ties have developed rapidly and gained win-win results."

"South Korea will actively push Sino-ROK all-around cooperation and friendship ties to a further development, enhance visits by senior officials of the two countries and increase comprehensive exchanges," said Yoon.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on the envisioned Beijing multilateral talks aiming to solve the DPRK nuclear issue. Early this month, Pyongyang declared that it will attend six-party talks participated by the DPRK, United States, Japan, China, South Korea and Russia.

Li Zhaoxing informed Yoon on the preparations of the talks and the development of the coordination between China and other involved countries. "As host of the multilateral talks, China will try hard to make the meeting successful," said Li.

"The Six-party talks are the continuance of the April tripartite nuclear talks, which shows the dialogue over the nuclear issue is walking forward," said Li. The DPRK, the United States and China had trilateral talks in Beijing to discuss nuclear issue in April.

Li also pointed out the progress of the multilateral talks will affect the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, "So China hopes all the parties involved in the talks attend the meeting with sincerity, and hopes ROK will play an active role," added Li

Yoon said South Korea evaluated high of the multilateral talks, and expressed his thanks to China for what it has done to procure the meeting.

"Seoul is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Beijing, make joint efforts and overcome difficulties, thus to push the dialogue forward," said Yoon.

The two diplomats agreed in Wednesday's meeting that the six-party talks should discuss the issues of realizing nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and solving the security concern of the DPRK.

Li arrived here earlier Wednesday for a three-day visit after wrapping up his Tokyo visit. He is scheduled to meet South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun on Thursday.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2003)