Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea (ROK) is arriving in Beijing today. His visit is the best way to wind up the Year of Exchange between China and the ROK.

When leaders of the two countries decided to improve the exchange, they meant one at all levels. A better understanding of each other will lay a solid foundation for further cooperation. The Year of Exchange is expected to reduce the gap between the two peoples, the younger generations in particular. The future of the bilateral relations is in their hands.

The fact that more than 500,000 South Koreans stay in China frequently shows how close China-ROK relations are.

During his visit to the neighboring country in April, Premier Wen Jiabao and his ROK counterpart Han Duck-soo had face-to-face talks with young people from the two countries. Getting together in China and ROK, the youth of the two countries now better know each other and the importance of relations between their countries.

China and the ROK have moved closer in a very short period of time as they established their diplomatic relations in 1992. The complementary nature of the two economies has made it possible for their close cooperation. Also, the two countries have cooperated closely in diplomatic affairs, environmental protection, fight against terrorism, and nuclear non-proliferation.

Han has said that China plays an irreplaceable part in establishing a peace mechanism in the Korean Peninsula and maintaining peace in Northeast Asia and the world. He said the ROK government would be responsible for continuing cooperation with China.

The change of names for the bilateral relations in the past 15 years is a vivid reflection of their rapid growth. After announcing the establishment of "a cooperative partnership toward the 21st century," China is committed to developing its trade with the ROK and cooperating with it in keeping the situation on Korean Peninsula stable, making the North-South summit possible and improving Democratic People's Republic of Korea's relations with the US.

In 2000 China's suggestion that the two elevate their partnership to comprehensive cooperation was well received by the ROK. The two announced the establishment of a partnership of comprehensive cooperation in 2003.

Strategically, it was an important option for both.

(China Daily December 10, 2007)