Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao touched down in Seoul on Tuesday for
an official visit to South Korea, the first such
trip by a Chinese premier in seven years.
In a written statement issued upon arrival, Wen said this trip
would be carried out under the aims of boosting strategic
communication and finding more common ground between the two
countries.
He stressed that to pursue a closer overall partnership with
South Korea would remain China's continuous objective and that his
visit would help bring China and South Korea closer together.
2007 marks the 15th anniversary since diplomatic ties were
established between the two countries and forms a bilateral
Exchange Year.
During the last 15 years, Wen said, the two countries have
always sought to further cooperation and exchanges, benefiting both
peoples and helping secure regional peace and development.
Wen will meet with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, Prime
Minister Han Duck-soo, as well as the parliamentary and party
leaders before attending the opening ceremony of the China-South
Korea Exchange Year.
After his stay in South Korea, Wen will travel on to Japan for a
journey of peace and friendship, returning the courteous visit of
Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe's? to China last October.
(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2007)
