Representatives from major media of China and South Korea gathered in Seoul on Friday to discuss a bigger role in promoting bilateral ties between Beijing and Seoul.

 

During a journalist forum opened early on the day, Cai Wu, minister of Chinese Information Office of the State Council, said the exchanges between news agencies and media of China and South Korea have kept a strong momentum in recent years and brought out closer cooperation between the media of the two nations.

 

The cooperation and exchanges between the two countries' media have become a guarantee for deepening mutual understanding and maintaining friendly neighborhood between the two nations, Cai said.

 

China hopes the media of the two states could shoulder greater responsibility to deepen understanding and friendship, upgrade the all-around friendly cooperation between the two nations and join hands in pushing forward a long-standing, healthy and steady friendship between the two neighbors in variety of fields, Cai said.

 

Kim Chang-ho, minister of South Korea's Government Information Agency, said at the forum that the media of the two countries should strengthen exchanges and communication to cope with the developing situation in a bid to jointly build up a peaceful, stable and prosperous Asia.

 

More than 70 journalists, media managers and government officials participated in the one-day journalist forum in Seoul's Press Center and discussed topics including media's role in promoting harmonious bilateral ties, cooperation in reports over the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing as well as new media and media industry's future in China and South Korea.

 

Another business forum between enterprisers of China and South Korea was also held in the Walk Hill Hotel in Seoul on Friday.

 

The two forums were part of a 10-day-long Chinese cultural exchange event, called as Experience China in South Korea 2006.

 

A Chinese traditional musical performance will be staged later in the day at the National Theater of Korea in down Seoul.

 

The Experience China in South Korea 2006 was a result of last November's summit between President Hu Jintao and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun. It was launched on Thursday with an opening ceremony and a photo display in the Olympic Park in Seoul with about 500 pictures revealing the 14-year relations between China and South Korea since 1992.

 

During the event, performances of Tibet dances and martial arts will also be staged in Seoul.

 

The Experience China in South Korea 2006 is the biggest-ever Chinese cultural event held in South Korea.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2006)