State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan Saturday called for closer cooperation between China and South Korea, particularly in the environmental and high-tech sectors.

"The two countries should focus on cooperation in such fields as environmental protection, advanced high-tech and logistics in the future," said Tang in a meeting with Deputy Speaker of the South Korean National Assembly Lee Yong Hee.

While hailing the smooth development of bilateral relations, Tang said China is ready to make joint efforts with South Korea to implement the achievements made during Premier Wen Jiabao's recent visit to South Korea, and to further the all-round partnership of cooperation.

Lee, who headed a delegation to attend a regular meeting between legislators of the two countries, briefed Tang on the meeting, held on Friday, saying it was a success and of great significance.

While reiterating that South Korea firmly sticks to the one-China policy, Lee appreciated China's domestic policies on promoting the development of the rural area and narrowing gaps between the west and east, and between the urban and rural areas.

The two also touched on such issues as the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, South Korea's bidding for 2014 winter Olympics and 2012 World Expo.

Around 20 legislators from China and South Korea attended the regular meeting, co-chaired by Lee and Uyunqimg, vice-chairwoman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

The meeting was the second of its kind since the NPC and the ROK National Assembly forged a regular exchange mechanism last year in an effort to develop stronger parliamentary links. Their first meeting was held in Seoul last September.

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2007)