China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) should continue to take a strategic approach to bilateral ties, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said at a meeting Thursday with Iim Chae Jung, speaker of the ROK National Assembly.

Wen said this year marked the 15th anniversary of China-ROK diplomatic ties, and the relationship had developed well because the two countries had adopted a good-neighborly policy and maintained mutual respect and equal treatment.

Iim Chae Jung said the ROK and China had made remarkable progress in economic and trade cooperation, and cultural and personnel exchanges had also greatly expanded.

He said the ROK hoped to further cooperation with China and continue to build the relationship.

(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2007)