China's Foreign Ministry announced Thursday that Premier Zhu Rongji would visit Japan and the Republic of Korea from October 12-22 and would also take part in the Third Asia-Europe (ASEM) Meeting to be held in Seoul.

Calling the visit "important high level contact", Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi said Zhu would hold extensive and in-depth exchange of views with the leaders of the two countries on furthering the ties between China and Japan and the ROK in the face of the new century.

China also hopes the ASEM Meeting this year will expand mutual understanding, enhance exchanges and promote the establishment of a new type of Asia-Europe partnership, said Sun.

Leaders from Asia and Europe are expected to discuss regional and international issues of common interest and co-operation plans between the two continents in the new century.

"The Chinese side hopes in-depth talks in the fields of politics, the economy, culture, science and technology will be conducted at the meeting on exchange and co-operation between Asia and Europe," said the spokesman.

(CIIC, 09/29/2000)