China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) signed an agreement Thursday on youth exchanges, which says the ROK government will invite 500 Chinese young people to visit the country each year from 2004 to 2006.

The agreement, aimed at enhancing understanding and friendship between the young peoples and promoting bilateral friendly ties between the two countries, is an implementation of the consensus laid down in the joint statement issued during ROK President Roh Moo-hyun's China visit last year.

According to the organizers, the All-China Youth Federation and the ROK Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the agreement will be valid for three years, and afterwards the validity period will continue for another three years if there are no objections.

Jiang Guangping, deputy secretary-general of the All-China Youth Federation, said the enlargement of the scale of youth exchanges between the two countries, which currently stands at 40 people a year, demonstrates the deepening of their friendly ties and will further promote such ties.

He said the 500 young people for 2004 visit will be sent to ROK in three groups, and the first batch will go around early July.

Hu Wei, vice-chairman of the All-China Youth Federation, and Kim Ha-joong, the ROK ambassador to China, signed the agreement on behalf of the two governments respectively.
 
(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2004)