Beijing is willing to improve cooperation and friendship with Seoul of the Republic of Korea, said Liu Qi, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Beijing Municipal Committee, in Beijing Wednesday.

Meeting with Seoul's Mayor Lee Myung Bak, Liu said the friendly cooperation between Beijing and Seoul has progressed steadily since the two cities established friendly relations in 1993.

The establishment and successful operation of Beijing Hyundai Motor Co. marks the enhanced economic cooperation between the two cities as well as the two countries, Liu said.

He said Seoul had the experience of hosting the Olympic Games and the football World Cup, and Beijing is now at a key moment of preparing for the 2008 Olympic Games. Cooperation should bring the two cities closer.

Lee, who is here for the 10th anniversary of the establishment of friendly ties between the two cities, said the exchanges between Seoul and Beijing should be expanded from the realm of economy to culture, environment, sports and the young generation in order to further promote prosperity and development in Northeast Asia.

(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2003)