Li Peng Meets Leaders of South Korean Political Parties

Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China met in Seoul Saturday leaders of two South Korean political parties and called for joint efforts to develop Sino-South Korean relations.

In his meeting with Lee Hoi-chang, president of the Grand National Party (GNP), Li said that since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992, bilateral relations have developed rapidly and smoothly.

The enhancement of Sino-South Korean relations is not only in the interest of the peoples in the two countries, but could also promote peace, stability and development in the region and in the rest of the world, said Li, who arrived in Seoul Wednesday for a five-day official goodwill visit.

Referring to the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Li said that people in the world back the reconciliation process on the peninsula.

As a close neighbor, China will continue to support the reconciliation process and will play a constructive role in promoting the reconciliation process and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Li also met Kim Jong-pil, president of the United Liberal Democrats Saturday morning and exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula, cooperation between the Communist Party of China and the GNP, and ways to further Sino-South Korean relations.

During the two meetings, the leaders of two South Korean political parties expressed their hope that China would continue to play its constructive role in the reconciliation process on the Korean Peninsula.

They said that South Korean people are grateful to China for its assistance to South Korea when a financial crisis hit the country in 1997.

Li, who is scheduled to return home Sunday, has already met South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung and Speaker of the National Assembly Lee Man-Sup. He is expected to meet Prime Minister Lee Han-Dong later in the day.

Li is here on the last leg of his three-nation tour, which has already taken him to Cambodia and Brunei.

Li Peng Meets South Korean Friendship Association Members

Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China met in Seoul Saturday members of the Korea-China Friendship Association.

Li commended the efforts made by the members of the association in promoting exchanges and friendship between China and South Korea in the past two decades.

Li said that the Chinese people will never forget their old friends, and hoped members of the association, which was formed in 1981, continue to work for the friendship between the two countries.

At present, the two countries are expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology, and the two countries should keep the momentum of such cooperation, said Li, who arrived here Wednesday for a five-day official goodwill visit.

He said that the two countries have also closely cooperated and coordinated in dealing with regional and international affairs.

Li said that he is very pleased with the increasing non- governmental contacts between China and South Korea.

The Chinese leader is on the last leg of his three Asia-nation tour, which has already taken him to Cambodia and Brunei.






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