Xi expects to inject vitality into China-S Korea ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed the hope that his visit to South Korea would inject new vitality into his country's relations with this Asian neighbor. [Special coverage]

"China-South Korea relations are facing an opportunity of great development. To inject fresh impetus into the bilateral ties is an issue for both countries and a major task of my trip," said Xi in a signed article carried by South Korean newspapers on Thursday.

The trip is Xi's first visit to South Korea as president.

Calling China-South Korea relations a good example of state-to-state relations, Xi said there is plenty of experience that the two countries could summarize, inherit and carry forward.

In the article titled "Set Sail When the Wind Is Positive," Xi put forward a four-point proposal with regard to the development of the two countries' relations.

Firstly, the two countries shall maintain their relationship of good neighborliness and friendship and enhance mutual trust.

Trust is an important value in the East. "One cannot be successful without trust" is an idea shared by the two peoples, said Xi.

Trust serves as a foundation for the long-term healthy development of China-South Korea relations, said Xi.

He suggested that the two sides strengthen high-level exchanges and interactions in various fields, bear in mind each other's core interests and concerns, and exchange views on issues of common concern in a timely manner.

Secondly, Xi said, the two sides shall stick to mutually-beneficial cooperation and consolidate convergence of interests.

Trade and economic ties have always been a success story in China-South Korea ties, said Xi. China would like to work with South Korea to speed up talks on a free trade agreement, deepen financial cooperation, strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination, and broaden common interests, he added.

China is now South Korea's largest trading partner, No. 1 export destination and import source, and largest destination of overseas investment of South Korea. The largest number of foreign students and foreign tourists also come from China, Xi said.

South Korea's trade with China exceeds its trade with the United States, Japan and Europe combined.

As the impact of the international financial crisis lingers, China and South Korea should help each other and work together to lead regional development, and contribute to the prosperity and rejuvenation of Asia, Xi said.

Thirdly, the two countries shall safeguard regional peace and stability, said Xi.

As neighbors, China and South Korea face common security challenges. Both countries should come up against actions that would damage regional stability as no country will escape unscathed in case of regional turmoil, said the Chinese president.

"I have exchanged views many times with President Park Geun-hye on this issue, and we have agreed that our two countries should take on responsibility and work constructively for lasting peace and stability in our region," Xi said.

Fourthly, the two countries shall maintain cultural exchanges and strengthen friendship.

Chinese and South Korean cultures have been incorporated into the lives of the two peoples. This link serves as an important foundation for the development of bilateral ties, said Xi.

China, as always, will encourage and support people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries, said Xi.

China-South Korea relations now stand at a new starting point, said Xi. He expected to reach new consensus with the South Korean side during his two-day visit and add momentum to the advancement of ties between the two countries.

"Cooperation between China and South Korea will not only become an accelerator of their own development, but also a stabilizer to regional and world peace," Xi said.

The article was published on Chosun Ilbo, JoongAng Ilbo, and Dong-A Ilbo.

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