President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea (ROK) visited eastern China's Shandong Province on Thursday, expecting closer trade ties between the province and his country.

During his meeting with Shandong's Communist Party chief Jiang Yikang, Lee said Shandong is geographically close to ROK has the greatest number of ROK enterprises and residents than other provinces of China.

He said he hopes that the Shandong provincial government would continue supporting for ROK companies, adding his government would facilitate exchanges and cooperation between ROK and Shandong.

Jiang expressed his belief that Lee's China trip would further boost exchanges and cooperation between Shandong and ROK.

Invited by Chinese President Hu Jintao, Lee arrived in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon to start his first state visit to China. Before heading for Qingdao, a coastal city of Shandong Province, he met with Chinese leaders in Beijing, and delivered a speech at the Beijing University.

Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), gives a lecture at Peking University in Beijing on May 29, 2008.

Lee Myung-bak (L), President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), waves after delivering a speech at Peking University in Beijing on May 29, 2008.

Lee Myung-bak (C), President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), makes a gesture of victory to the students after his speech at Peking University in Beijing on May 29, 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2008)