China, ROK issue joint communique, vow to cement bilateral relations

Chinese President Hu Jintao (3rd L), accompanied by President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Myung-bak (1st L), reviews the honor guard during the welcoming ceremony held by Lee Myung-bak at the presidential palace in Seoul, capital of the Republic of Korea, Aug. 25, 2008. Hu Jintao arrived in Seoul on Monday for a two-day state visit to ROK.  [Xinhua Photo] China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) issued a joint communiqué in Seoul Monday, vowing to cement bilateral relations. The two countries pledged to broaden and enhance cooperation, and intensify coordination on regional and international issues so as to achieve long-term common development while contributing to world peace and prosperity, according to the joint communiqué issued during President Hu Jintao's state visit to the ROK. The two sides agreed to promote the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries in a comprehensive way. The two heads of state expressed their satisfaction over the development of bilateral ties in various fields including politics, economy and culture since China and the ROK established diplomatic relations in 1992. China-ROK ties are of great importance for both countries, and the development of relations has not only benefited China and the ROK, but also contributed to peace and development in Asia and the whole world, said the communiqué. Chinese President Hu Jintao (L Rear) and President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Myung-bak (R Rear) hold a joint press conference after their meeting at the presidential palace in Seoul, capital of the Republic of Korea, Aug. 25, 2008. Hu Jintao arrived in Seoul on Monday for a two-day state visit to ROK. [Xinhua Photo] The two sides agreed to intensify political trust and support each other's peaceful development, as well as expand and deepen communication between the governments, parliaments and political parties of the two countries. They also committed themselves to strengthening high-level contact and increasing dialogue on defense. The two sides also decided to explore new areas of cooperation based on the principles of mutual benefit and complementarity. China and the ROK will promote cultural exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and intensify cooperation and coordination on regional and international issues. on the Taiwan issue, the ROK reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy. The ROK pledged to further develop ties with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) through reconciliation and cooperation, while the Chinese side reaffirmed its support for the reconciliation process between the ROK and the DPRK and their final peaceful reunification. China and the ROK will maintain frequent exchange of high-level visits and contacts, the communiqué said. President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Myung-bak (R) meets with Chinese President Hu Jintao at the presidential palace in Seoul, capital of the Republic of Korea, Aug. 25, 2008. Hu Jintao arrived in Seoul on Monday for a two-day state visit to ROK. [Xinhua Photo] Diplomatic bodies of the two countries will hold advanced strategic dialogues this year, as the start-up of a strategic dialogue mechanism of exchanging views on important issues concerning bilateral common interests. Besides, foreign ministries of the two countries will establish a mechanism of coordination in a bid to further exchanges on foreign policy and international situation, the communiqué said. Experts from the two countries will launch joint research on promoting all-round bilateral exchanges and cooperation, and hand in their reports to the two governments. In addition, senior officials from the defense bodies of the two countries will also increase contact and strengthen exchanges and cooperation on multiple levels. On economic and trade cooperation, the two countries vow to intensify cooperation in trade and investment, inspection and quarantine, trade relief and intellectual property rights, in an effort to bring forward the target of annual bilateral trade worth200 billion U.S. dollars to 2010. Meanwhile, the two countries will facilitate the adjustment and supplementation of the Medium and Long Term Development Vision for China-ROK Economic and Trade Cooperation. The two nations are willing to work together to further expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation, the communiqué said. In addition, cooperation in fields such as environment, information and communication, logistics and energy will also be pushed forward. Government bodies of the two countries will spare no efforts to establish a favorable investment environment to aid mutual economic development. On the principle of mutual benefits, China and the ROK will accelerate studies on the possibility of a free trade zone in order to quickly implement the same. In order to successfully host the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the 2012 Yeosu World Expo, the two countries also inked a series of agreements on cooperation and sharing of experience in this regard. On cultural exchanges, the two countries will study measures on providing convenient services to visa applicants as part of efforts to expand people-to-people communication. To further people-related exchanges, the two nations have designated 2010 as Visit China Year and 2012 as Visit Korea Year. On regional and international affairs, the two countries will reinforce communication and cooperation in the framework of the six-party talks, and implement the second phase action of the talks in constructive efforts. Both sides will maintain coordination and cooperation in mechanisms like ASEAN and China, Japan and South Korea, the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. Diplomatic bodies of the two countries will also set up a mechanism of coordination on UN affairs to enhance understanding and cooperation in this aspect, the communiqué noted. President Hu Jintao arrived in Seoul earlier Monday for a two-day state visit, only months after his ROK counterpart Lee Myung-bak's official visit to China in May. This is President Hu's second state visit to the ROK. He last visited the country in November 2005. 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Editor: Mo Hong'e Source: Xinhua

http://www.gov.cn/misc/2008-08/26/content_1079169.htm