Li calls on China, S. Korea to strengthen youth exchanges in innovation cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here Monday that the young generations in China and South Korea should take the synergy between their countries' development strategies as an opportunity to build a better future for cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Youth exchanges, as an important component of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, represent the future of bilateral relations, Li said when addressing the first China-South Korea Young Leaders' Forum.

He recalled his visit to South Korea in 2011, when he was vice premier, saying he deeply felt the profound friendship between the two peoples, especially the young generations.

The amity between the young people of the two countries goes beyond the limit of languages and borders, he said, adding that there exists great potential for the future of China-South Korea friendship.

Li noted that China is now implementing an innovation-driven development strategy, and South Korea is also committed to the promotion of a creative economy.

The forum should provide a platform for the two countries' young elite to carry out in-depth exchanges and innovation cooperation, he said.

The premier also voiced his hope that the young people of the two countries will deepen friendship and connect their dreams for innovation and entrepreneurship, so as to grow into a vital force for practical cooperation in various fields between China and South Korea.

South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who also attended the forum, said the theme of the event conforms to the two countries' development strategies and shows the young people's enthusiasm for innovation.

He called on youngsters of South Korea and China to strengthen exchanges, increase mutual understanding, and inject fresh vitality into the development of bilateral relations.

According to a decision by China and South Korea, a total of 100 young elite of the two countries will exchange visits annually from 2015 to 2019. The two countries will also hold the Young Leaders' Forum regularly.

Also on Monday, Li paid a visit to the Gyeonggi Center for a Creative Economy and Innovation, which is located in Gyeonggi Province, home to half of South Korea's IT companies.

The startup center, one of the creative economy and innovation hubs established last year across the country, aims to nurture and provide services for small innovative enterprises.

During the tour, Li visited laboratories for the Internet of Things, mobile devices and 3D print technologies, where he asked about details of the technological developments in these fields.

Speaking to a crowd of South Korean entrepreneurs in the center, Li said that he and South Korean President Park Geun-hye have agreed to set up new platforms for innovation cooperation between the two countries' companies and individuals.

China is now rigorously promoting the innovation-driven development strategy and has brought up an initiative called "Made in China 2025," encouraging more and more people and companies to pursue innovations so as to accelerate the structural transformation in the Chinese economy and to lift the economy to a higher level, Li said.

In the meantime, South Korea is well-experienced in creative economy as well as the innovative industries, the Chinese premier said, noting that the two sides can learn from each other on how to promote innovation.

Innovation knows no national boundaries, Li said, calling for better connection of the two countries' respective innovation strategies.

China and South Korea should strengthen their coordination and communication on policies, laws and regulations, provide more cooperation platforms for their entrepreneurs, and join hand to explore third-party markets, Li added.

Li arrived in Seoul on Saturday for a three-day trip, which also included a trilateral summit with Japanese and South Korean leaders on Sunday. Endi