Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday called for those in the Six-Party Talks on the Korean nuclear issue to take serious steps in implementing their commitment to the principle of "action for action", to boost the process of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.

Wen was speaking at a meeting with visiting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Beijing. Both China and the ROK are important members of the six-nation talks, which also involve the United States, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Russia and Japan.

"To steadily promote the Six-Party Talks conforms to the common aspirations of the international community," Wen said, adding that China is willing to coordinate and cooperate closely with the ROK in moving towards a nuclear-free peninsula.

Han expressed his appreciation of China's role as a chair in the multilateral talks, saying that his country will work with China to promote the denuclearization effort so as to ensure peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula as well as Northeast Asia.

Pyongyang has agreed to dismantle and account for its nuclear activities by the end of the year.

US nuclear envoy Christopher Hill said last week he was pleased with the progress, while US President George W. Bush sent a letter to DPRK leader Kim Jong-il last week urging his government to fully disclose its nuclear programs, the White House said.

China is currently consulting with other parties on the date of the next round of the talks, according to the Foreign Ministry.

On bilateral ties, Wen said relations between China and the ROK have undergone "comprehensive and in-depth" development since the two countries established diplomatic ties 15 years ago.

China hopes the two sides can enhance partnership in environmental protection, energy, finance and logistics, and speed up studies on establishing the free trade area between them and expanding mutual investment, Wen said.

Han agreed with Wen, saying that his country will actively push for the growth of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and seek mutual benefits.

In one development, the ROK's Hana Financial Holdings announced on Sunday it has forged a tie-up with the Bank of Jilin in Jilin Province as part of efforts to expand in the Asian market.

The strategic alliance, which the two lenders agreed to in China last Friday, will eventually allow Hana, the third-largest lender in the ROK , to invest in Jilin.

Similarly, Kia Motors Corp, the ROK's No 2 automaker, said on Saturday it aims to double its sales in China next year with the help of its second factory in the world's second-largest car market.

(China Daily December 11, 2007)