China, South Korea vow to boost mutual trust, expand cooperation

China and South Korea have vowed here to boost mutual trust and expand cooperation in all fields.

The pledge came as Liu Qibao, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited South Korea on May 20-23.

During his visit, Liu met with Speaker of the South Korean National Assembly Chung Eui-hwa, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Joon-sik, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Cultural, Sports and Tourism Minister Kim Jong-deok.

At the meetings, Liu said under the guidance of both countries' leaders, China and South Korea have scored achievements in bilateral relations such as political mutual trust, economic and trade cooperation as well as people-to-people exchange.

China is willing to join hands with South Korea to further deepen exchange and cooperation between political parties and parliaments of the two sides, and strengthen cooperation in economy and trade as well as culture so as to forge partnership in realizing common development, promoting regional peace, revitalizing Asia and promoting prosperity of the world, Liu added.

The South Korean side said the China-South Korean relations are at their historical best, the two sides have enjoyed close high-level contacts, and cooperation in the sectors of economy and trade as well people-to-people exchange has yielded fruitful results.

South Korea officials said it is willing to work together with China to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in Northeast Asia and the world at large.

During his visit, Liu attended the 8th China-South Korea Media High-level Dialogue, in which he expressed the hope that the media in China and South Korea could further cooperate for the promotion of bilateral friendship.

At the East Asian Symposium on World Forum on China Studies, he said the studies should be focused on China's development concepts and the governance of the CPC.

Liu also toured the CJ E&M entertainment and media company. Endit