China will make concerted efforts with its Asian neighbors, including South Korea, to promote peace, harmony and prosperity in the region, Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo said Friday.

Dai made the remarks in his meeting with Yu Myung-hwan, South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, noting that China remains committed to stepping up the relations between the two nations.

Yu Myung-hwan said that the newly-formed South Korean government highly values the ties with China and considers China as an important cooperation partner.

South Korea is willing to join hands with China and play a positive role in improving regional peace and development, Yu Myung-hwan told Dai.

Yu Myung-hwan's visit to China from March 20 to 22 was at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. During the talks with his Chinese counterpart, Yu Myung-hwan stressed his country's full support for the Beijing Olympics and his country's opposition to politicizing the Games.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2008)