South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hai-chan met in Seoul with Hua Jianmin, state councilor and secretary-general of the State Council of China on Monday afternoon, and the two exchanged views over bilateral relations. 

Hua firstly conveyed friendly greeting and good wishes of Premier Wen Jiabao to Lee, according to a news release issued by the visiting Chinese delegation.

Hua arrived here earlier Monday for a four-day official visit to South Korea. During his stay here, Hua will lead the Chinese delegation to an international conference -- "The Sixth Global Forum on Reinventing Government" on Tuesday.

"The Sino-ROK (the Republic of Korea) ties developed very well. There are much exchanges between senior officials of the two countries, as well as much exchanges and cooperation in various fields," the release quoted Hua as saying during the meeting with Lee.

Hua said besides the meeting between President Hu Jintao and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun in Moscow earlier this month, several other visits are to be made by leaders of the two countries later this year.

"We believe those high-level exchanges will do good to the development of the Sino-ROK relations," said Hua.

Hua also reiterated the stance that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the Sino-ROK ties and will make effort along with South Korea to make the Sino-ROK comprehensive cooperation partner relationship develop healthily and steadily.

Hua stressed that China is willing to "become a good neighbor and a good partner" of neighboring countries and is trying hard to build an amicable, tranquil and prosperous neighborhood in the region.

For his part, the South Korean premier took note that since the establishment of Sino-ROK diplomatic ties 13 years ago, the bilateral ties between South Korea and China have developed smoothly.

Lee said the continuous high-level visits by leaders of the two countries, the continual development of bilateral exchanges in economy and trade as well as the frequent exchanges of personnel of the two countries all fully embody the Sino-ROK comprehensive cooperation partnership relationship, said the press release.

Lee also expressed hope that his official visit to China in the coming June will bear good result.

Hua and Lee also exchanged views over international and regional issues of mutual concern.

Hua also had a meeting with South Korean Deputy Prime Minister and Finance and Economy Minister Han Duck-soo Monday afternoon on bilateral trade.

Hua is to return to China on Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2005)