China, South Korea Presidents vow further ties

CANADA: Chinese President Hu Jintao and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak pledged to further enhance the strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries at their meeting here Saturday.

At the meeting, which occurred on the sidelines of a summit of the Group of 20 (G20), Hu said China-South Korea cooperation has been increasingly strengthened in various areas, including politics, economy and culture, since the bilateral strategic partnership of cooperation was established in 2008.

The two countries have also maintained good coordination and cooperation in tackling major international and regional issues, said Hu.

China attaches great importance to its relations with South Korea and, from a long-term and strategic perspective, has always regarded the development of the ties as an important part of its foreign relations.

Hu voiced China’s support for South Korea to host the fifth G20 summit in November and said he believed the meeting would be a success.

He stressed that the two countries, as two major economies in East Asia and the world, are well positioned to boost cooperation for mutual benefits.

The two sides should launch talks on a free trade zone as soon as possible, facilitate economic and trade cooperation and boost cooperation in some key sectors, including high technology, the green economy and recycling economy, he said.

Toronto, Monday, Xinhua