Hu Jintao, Roh Moo-hyun meet
cctv.com 11-17-2005 08:58
Chinese President Hu Jintao and South Korean leader Roh Moo-hyun say they'll make joint efforts for the sustained development of bilateral cooperation. Hu arrived in Seoul after a tour of Europe that took him to Britain, Germany and Spain.
During their meeting, Hu said that since the establishment of the comprehensive partnership of cooperation, China and South Korea have worked together in all fields and maintained close communication and coordination on international and regional issues.
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said his government attaches great importance to relations with China. He added that South Korea's firm adherence to the one-China principle is unchanging.
Roh then announced his government's decision to recognize China's status as a market economy.
The Chinese president said Beijing and Seoul now share more common interests as their ties become increasingly important.
He said that bilateral cooperation has not only fueled the development of both countries, but also made an important contribution to safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the whole of northeast Asia.
Hu put forward a four-point proposal on furthering the development of all-round cooperation between the two countries:
The first point is to enhance political trust by establishing a hot line at the foreign ministerial level for the timely exchange of views on major issues of common concern;
The second is to double the current annual trade volume of 100 billion US dollars by the end of 2012; the third is to expand exchanges in the fields of culture, education, science and technology, health, and environmental protection. This proposal also includes increasing contacts between young people and holding a Year of China-South Korea Exchanges in 2007.
The last point is to strengthen consultation on international affairs and work jointly for a new world political and economic order that is fair and just.
The South Korean president gave his full agreement to the four-point proposal, stressing that the two countries have many common interests and shared views on important issues.
Roh also hailed China's role in tackling the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Hu reaffirmed Beijing's stance of ensuring a nuclear-free Peninsula through peaceful means.
The Chinese president expressed the hope that all countries involved will continue to make joint efforts to achieve new progress in the six-party talks.
After their meeting, Hu and Roh attended the signings of a number of bilateral documents on the promotion of trade and investment, cooperation in breeding tigers, and other issues.
Following the meeting, the two countries issued a joint communique, outlining the major points they have agreed.
-Further exchanges and cooperation in various fields
-Maintain the healthy bilateral relationship
-Make joint efforts to ensure the peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula and the region
-Continue constant high-level contacts
-South Korean recognition of China as a market economy
Editor:Chen Zhuo Source:CCTV.com
