Boosting China-South Korean strategic partnership

When meeting with President Lee, Wen said China and South Korea need to strengthen high-level communication, enhance political and strategic mutual trust, and join hands to meet challenges so as to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the whole world.

The Chinese premier said the two sides should strive toward the target of bilateral trade of 300 billion U.S. dollars by 2015.

The two sides also should make efforts to expand cooperation in new sectors, including energy saving and environmental protection, and start negotiations on a Free Trade Area as soon as possible to facilitate the free flow of trade and investment, Wen said.

China and South Korea have agreed to jointly hold events to mark the 20th anniversary of bilateral ties.

On the situation of the Korea Peninsula, Wen said China has been actively pushing peace and dialogue in this regard as well as the resumption of the six-party talks.

China firmly holds that dialogue and consultation are the ultimate way to the resolution of the issue, and the six-party talks can play an important role in maintaining peace and stability in the region and realizing denuclearization of the peninsula, Wen said.

Lee spoke highly of the development of the South Korea-China relations and agreed with Wen's ideas on deepening cooperation between the two countries.

South Korea is willing to work together with China to push bilateral strategic partnership to a new stage when the two countries mark the 20th anniversary of their diplomatic ties next year, said Lee.

The South Korean president said his country highly appreciates the active role China has played in maintaining peace and stability of the Korea Peninsula and that South Korea is willing to continuously keep its close communication and cooperation with China.