The National People's Congress (NPC) of China and the National
Assembly of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) launched a regular
exchange mechanism in Beijing Monday in a bid to enhance bilateral
ties and Sino-South Korean cooperation.
Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and his South
Korean counterpart Kim One-ki signed an agreement to launch a
mechanism after their talks in the Great Hall of the People in
downtown Beijing.
The two top legislatures will rotate as hosts every year,
according to the agreement.
"The agreement regulated the exchange between us and indicated
that our bilateral relations entered a new phase and bears
significant meaning to the growth of Sino-South Korean all-round
cooperative partnership," Wu told Kim.
Kim said it's the first time for the South Korean National
Assembly to sign such a cooperation agreement with foreign
parliaments.
"It showed the great importance we attached to the relations
with China," Kim said, noting the establishment and perfection of
the mechanism will contribute to the growth of South Korea-China
relations.
Wu also spoke highly of bilateral relations, saying that the two
countries maintained a frequent exchange of high-level visits,
enhanced political mutual-trust and carried out close contact and
cooperation on international and regional issues.
China and South Korea witnessed fast growing trade and economic
ties and expanding investment and industrial cooperation, Wu said,
adding that the trade volume exceeded US$100 billion three years
earlier than scheduled and brought about tangible benefits to the
people of both countries.
The two countries also deepened cooperation in the fields of
culture, science and technology, education and justice, Wu
acknowledged. The exchange between the two top legislatures also
injected vigor to the Sino-South Korean national relations.
China attaches importance to its relationships with South Korea
as both neighbors and influential countries in the region and will
exert further efforts along with South Korea to constantly push the
bilateral partnership forward, he said.
Kim is leading a delegation from the South Korean parliament for
a visit to China from January 8 to 14 as guest of Wu.
(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2006)
