国内英语新闻:Wen pushes for bilateral, regional cooperation in South Korea tour

Previously, during a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Chung Un-chan, Wen made a four-point proposal on strengthening economic ties with South Korea.

The Chinese premier suggested that the two countries speed up the work to establish a China-South Korea free trade area (FTA) in a gradual manner by seeking common ground while reserving differences.

Secondly, the two nations should explore new areas for cooperation such as energy conservation, environmental protection, high-tech and low-carbon economy.

Third, both countries should oppose trade and investment protectionism of all forms and properly handle trade frictions.

Finally, the two nations should enhance coordination and communication within the framework of the Group of 20 and the ASEAN plus China, Japan and South Korea (10+3), so as to maintain financial stability and promote balanced and sustainable development of the world economy.

"As the world is undergoing major changes and adjustments, China and South Korea, being neighbors and two countries of significant influence in the region, should deepen political trust and cooperation to benefit the two peoples and make a bigger contribution to regional peace, stability and prosperity," said the Chinese premier.

Chung spoke highly of China's effective macroeconomic regulation amid the global financial crisis, saying that China's stable and rapid economic growth is conducive to South Korea, Asia and the world at large.

He said South Korea values the strategic cooperative partnership with China, and will work with China to increase contacts, push for the establishment of a free trade area and facilitate trade and personnel exchanges.

CALL FOR CONTINUITY OF ECONOMIC POLICY

When talking to a group of South Korean businessmen, Premier Wen said that China and South Korea should keep the continuity and stability of their respective economic policies.

As two major economies in Asia, the two nations need to maintain the strength of the measures they adopted to deal with the financial crisis, he said.

The Chinese premier recalled that following a global economic meltdown, the two nations have adopted effective counter-measures, which have not only helped economic recovery in both nations, but also contributed to the global recovery.

However, remaining uncertain and unstable factors are still affecting the world economy, Wen said, adding that anti-crisis efforts could not be relaxed now.

He also urged the two nations to upgrade bilateral trade and economic cooperation to a new level.

Wen said bilateral cooperation should be focused on new priorities such as the state-of-the-art technology, energy conservation and environmental protection and green economy.

Under the principle of seeking consensus while shelving differences, efforts should also be made in a gradual manner to promote the process of setting up a China-South Korea free trade area (FTA), he said.

Wen also welcomed South Korean businesses to increase their investments in China, promising to provide them with equal treatment enjoyed by Chinese firms.

He said the Chinese government encourages stronger cooperation between small- and medium-sized companies of the two countries and will work hard to provide favorable environment and conditions for them.

Expressing willingness to invest more in China, South Korean business representatives said they are ready to explore new cooperation areas such as clean energy, green economy and the research and application of state-of-the-art technologies while consolidating the existing cooperation.

They also voiced support for an FTA between the two nations, which they believe will produce mutual benefits and win-win results.

They said that they hope the business sectors of the two countries could increase mutual understanding and cooperation through the ongoing Shanghai Expo in China.

Wen arrived in South Korea on Friday for an official visit, which is the start of his Asia tour that will later take him to Japan, Mongolia and Myanmar.