President Hu Jintao said in Seoul Wednesday that the fast growth in cooperation between China and South Korea has made an important contribution to regional peace and development.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries 13 years ago, bilateral cooperation in all fields has grown rapidly and their all-round partnership has increasingly enriched, Hu said in a written statement upon his arrival here for a state visit to South Korea.

This has brought tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries and made an important contribution to regional peace and development, Hu said.

During his visit, Hu will meet South Korean leaders and representatives from a broad range of social sectors for in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern.

Hu said he is convinced that his visit will enhance mutual trust, promote mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields and give a fresh impetus to the Sino-South Korean comprehensive partnership.

He will also attend the Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum slated for November 18-19 in Busan, South Korea.

South Korea is the last leg of Hu's four-nation European-Asian trip, which has already taken him to Britain, Germany and Spain.

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2005)