Li Zhanshu held talks with Park Byung-seok, president of the Rokk National Assembly

　　Beijing, 5 Feb (Xinhua) -- On 5 February, Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, held talks with Park Byung-seok, president of the ROK National Assembly, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

　　On February 5, Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, held talks with Park Byung-seok, president of the Roksk National Assembly, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Rao Aimin

　　Li Zhanshu welcomed Park Byung-seok to lead a delegation to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Li Zhanshu pointed out that China and South Korea are eternal close neighbors. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Moon Jae-in, the two sides have upheld the spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, and bilateral relations have developed in an all-round way, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and making positive contributions to promoting regional peace and development. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the two countries have stood by each other and promoted important new developments in bilateral relations to overcome the impact of the epidemic.

　　Li Zhanshu pointed out that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the ROK, which is of special significance to the relations between the two countries. The Chinese side is willing to work with the ROK to continuously deepen the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. The first is to strengthen political mutual trust. Close high-level exchanges, strengthen communication between the government and political parties, and enhance mutual understanding and mutual trust. The second is to promote mutually beneficial cooperation. Strengthen joint prevention and control cooperation on the epidemic and consolidate the achievements in the fight against the epidemic. Accelerate the docking of development strategies and the negotiation of the second phase of the free trade agreement to achieve high-quality integrated development. The third is to strengthen people-to-people exchanges. With the help of opportunities and platforms such as the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the "Year of Cultural Exchanges between China and the ROK", we will promote exchanges in various fields such as media, education, sports, and youth, and enhance mutual understanding and friendly feelings between the two peoples. The fourth is to properly handle sensitive issues and jointly safeguard the overall situation and long-term interests of China-ROK relations.

　　Li Zhanshu stressed that exchanges between legislative organs are an important part of bilateral relations. The Chinese NPC is willing to work with the ROK National Assembly to continue the tradition of friendship, maintain close exchanges and cooperation, and make new contributions to the development of China-ROK relations. It is hoped that the two sides will continue to make good use of regular exchange mechanisms and other platforms, expand exchanges at all levels of the legislature, share experience in rule of law construction, governance and economic development, create a good policy and legal environment for cooperation between the two countries in various fields, strengthen the social foundation of friendship among the people, and help the development of bilateral relations.

　　Li Zhanshu pointed out that the Beijing Winter Olympics is a common sports event in the world. I would like to thank the Rokk government and all walks of life for their active support to the Chinese side in hosting the conference, and wish the South Korean athletes good results in the Winter Olympics. China will continue to support the ROK in hosting the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon Province.

　　The two sides also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula issue. Li Zhanshu pointed out that the Chinese side is willing to continue to maintain close communication with the ROK side, work together to maintain stability and promote talks, and make positive efforts for the political settlement of the Peninsula issue and the realization of long-term peace and stability on the Peninsula.

　　Park Byung-seok said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between The ROK and China 30 years ago, great achievements have been made in the development of bilateral relations. We hope to continuously strengthen cooperation in the economic, humanities, sports, anti-epidemic and other fields, and jointly plan the development of bilateral relations in the next 30 years. The ROK is willing to work with the Chinese side to advance the peace process on the Peninsula. The ROK is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with China's NPC and make unremitting efforts to promote the development of bilateral relations. I wish the Beijing Winter Olympics a complete success.