Top Legislator Li Peng Meets ROK Parliamentarians

Top Legislator Li Peng Meets ROK Parliamentarians

---

Various exchanges and cooperation between China and the Republic of Korea (R0K) have been advancing swiftly, and China is satisfied with this momentum, top legislator Li Peng said Tuesday afternoon.

Li, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said this in a meeting with a delegation of the Unification, Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee of the ROK National Assembly that is led by committee chairman Park Myung Hwan. Li said exchanges of high-level visits and meetings at international occasions have been frequent, noting that both sides hold identical or similar viewpoints on major issues, such as promoting bilateral relations and on safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.

The two sides also have maintained good cooperation on international issues, Li stated.

In recent years, bilateral parliamentary contacts also have been on rise, which Li described as a good signal. He said exchanges between politicians of the two nations are an important part of the state-to-state friendly relations of cooperation.

This is conducive to increasing understanding and friendship between the two peoples and promoting cooperation between the two governments, and plays an significant role in enhancing regional peace and development, Li said.

Since last year, Li said, the peninsula situation has taken on positive changes, as the north and south of Korea successfully held a summit meeting of historic importance.

Reaffirming the welcoming and supporting stance on these positive changes, Li said China has always supported the two sides of Korea to improve their relations through direct dialogue, and to realize the reconciliation and the independent peaceful reunification of the Korean nation.

China will continue to make due efforts to this end, the top legislator assured.

Park Myung Hwan appreciated China's achievements in its reform and economic development, saying the ROK will continue to promote its friendly cooperation with China and hopes this relationship will be furthered in the new century.

Earlier today, Zeng Jianhui, chairman of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee held working talks with Park Myung Hwan.

The delegation arrived here on Monday for a week-long visit, as guest of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee. Besides Beijing, they will also visit the cities of Xi'an, Shanghai and Suzhou.