Chinese President Hu Jintao said he believes that relations between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will develop in the new century under concerted efforts from both sides.

Hu made the remarks in Beijing Thursday at a meeting with Park Kwan-yong, speaker of the ROK National Assembly.

Hu pointed to the rapid development of Sino-ROK relations in recent years and the frequent contact between leaders of the two countries which has strengthened mutual understanding and trust.

He also mentioned the new progress of bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, science, technology, culture and education, and the active exchanges between parliaments, parties, localities and peoples of the two sides.

He recalled ROK President Roh Moo-hyun's China visit not long ago and their agreement on developing a future-oriented bilateral partnership of overall cooperation.

He said the growth of bilateral relations requires participation and support from legislative bodies of the two countries, hoping that China's National People's Congress (NPC) will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the ROK National Assembly to make new contributions to the development of bilateral relations.

Park said the decision made by the heads of state of the two countries on building bilateral partnership of overall cooperation has won praise from the two peoples, and the ROK National Assembly will make joint efforts with the NPC for the establishment and development of such a relationship.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2003)