China and the Republic of Korea reached agreement on drastically expanding civil aviation services between the two countries, the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China said on its website.

According to a memorandum of understanding signed on Friday by the two sides at the end of their three days negotiations in Weihai, a coastal city in East China's Shandong Province, passengers flights between the two countries will be increased by 197 flights per week to reach 401 per week, and cargo flights by 12 flights to reach 36 flights per week.

The agreement adds six Chinese cities, namely, Yanji, Shenzhen, Hefei, Zhengzhou, Changsha and Weihai as destinations.

It allows airlines from both sides to determine their flight number and capacity input on routes from or to Chinese cities, namely Jinan, Qingdao, Yantai and Weihai according to market needs.

Chinese airlines are allowed to increase their flights to Chejudo in ROK if market need arises.

Aviation services between China and ROK have expanded quickly since the two countries signed their first civil aviation agreement in 1994. China is the second largest aviation market for ROK and vice versa.

According to official figures, 10 Chinese and ROK airlines transported 6.35 million passengers and 300,000 tons of goods on 42 routes.

It is believed that the new agreement will raise bilateral aviation cooperation to a new level and help further boost bilateral relations.

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2006)