国内英语新闻:Chinese vice president, South Korean prime minister meet on relations

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping put forward a four-point plan to cement China-South Korea ties when he met South Korean Prime Minister Chung Un Chan here on Thursday.

    Xi said China and the South Korea were neighbors and the relationship had been promoted since they established diplomatic ties in 1992. The exchanges of the visits by the two heads of states last year upgraded the relations to strategic and cooperative partnership, which benefited both countries and helped promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

    Xi's proposal to foster the Sino-ROK relationship was:

    -- To enhance high-level contact and political trust:

    The two countries should also increase exchanges between the governments, parliaments and parties. China appreciated the adherence by South Korea to the one-China policy and its support on the Taiwan and Tibet issues, Xi said.

    -- To expand trade and economic cooperation:

    The two countries should explore new ways on high-tech, energy-saving, and environmental protection cooperation. Xi called on the two sides to complete joint research and initiate free trade agreement negotiation.

    -- To increase personnel exchanges:

    The two sides should further improve exchanges on education, culture and tourism and properly handle the issues concerning the sentiments of the two peoples.

    -- And, to strengthen coordination in multilateral frameworks, including the meeting mechanism of China, South Korea and Japan:

    On the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Xi said all relevant sides should take the chance to show flexibility to resume the six-party talks at an early date.

    Xi also said China would push for the Copenhagen climate change conference to achieve a result in line with the "Bali Roadmap."

    Chung Un Chan pledged to complete the joint research on free trade agreement as soon as possible, and advance coordination with China under the G20 and the framework of China, Japan and South Korea.

    Xi arrived here Wednesday night after a visit in Japan. He will also visit Myanmar and Cambodia.