China was ready to work with South Korea to enrich the connotation of the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership, China's top leaders said in Beijing on Wednesday.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and top political advisor Jia Qinglin made the remarks in their meetings with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Lee Myung-bak, president of South Korea during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, on May 28, 2008. Lee Myung-bak arrived in Beijing Tuesday afternoon, starting a four-day state visit to China. 

Wen first extended his appreciation for the assistance offered by South Korean government and people for relief efforts following the massive earthquake that hit China's Sichuan Province on May 12.

China and South Korea, as good neighbors and influential nations in the same region, should work together in current new situations to cope with challenges and safeguard common interests.

The two nations on Tuesday agreed to upgrade their "comprehensive and cooperative partnership" to "strategic cooperative partnership" during the summit talks between Chinese President Hu Jintao and his South Korean counterpart Lee.