China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday issued a joint statement outlining their new "strategic cooperative partnership."
The statement coincided with the first state visit of new ROK President Lee Myung-bak to China from May 27 to 30.
Under the joint statement, China and ROK lauded the rapid growth of bilateral ties since they forged diplomatic relations in1992.
They agreed to upgrade their "comprehensive and cooperative partnership" to "strategic cooperative partnership," which means stronger ties in foreign affairs, security, economy, society, culture and personnel exchanges.
The two countries agreed to establish a senior-level strategic dialogue between their foreign ministries.
China reiterated there was only one China in the world and Taiwan constituted an inalienable part of China. In response, the ROK reaffirmed the People's Republic of China was the only legal government representing China and stressed its adherence to the one-China policy.
On the economic front, the two countries agreed to expand substantive cooperation and seek mutual benefit, covering the fields of two-way investment, trade, telecom, energy, intellectual property, food safety and quality inspection, logistics, finance, polar science and technology. They agreed to study and promote the process of China-ROK free trade area (FTA).
While reviewing their time-honored exchange history, both countries agreed to expand exchanges between their young people. They pledged to boost their personnel exchanges by studying and adopting measures to facilitate visa process.
China welcomed the establishment of a ROK consulate in Wuhan, capital of the central Hubei province.
On regional and international issues, China reiterated its support on improving inter-Korea ties through dialogue and consultation. ROK reaffirmed its stance on resolving the Korean nuclear issue and expanding inter-Korea cooperation in all fields.
Regarding the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue, both countries vowed to make joint efforts with other parties in the six party talks and realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
They reiterated the importance of the United Nations in dealing with global issues. Both agreed the UN reform would increase the international body's authority, role and efficiency.
China and ROK shared the view that tripartite cooperation between China, ROK and Japan was very important to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia. For that purpose, both countries agreed to hold a three-nation summit and their respective foreign minister to talk regularly.
Both countries pledged to make joint efforts for the success of the seventh Asia-Euro summit this fall in Beijing.
They agreed to work closely to deal with climate change, weapons of mass destruction, international terrorism, financial crimes, pirates, high-tech crime and other issues of common concern.
The two countries hailed the newly-signed three bilateral treaties on the repatriation of convicts, mutual recognition of academic degrees in higher education and cooperation on polar science and technology.
Both countries said they were satisfied with Lee's state visit to China, stressing its significance to bilateral ties.
Chinese President Hu Jintao looked forward to Lee's attendance at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in August. Lee expressed his wishes for the success of the Games. He also invited Hu to visit the ROK in the near future and the Chinese leader accepted the invitation.
Source: Xinhua
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