Li calls for closer China-S Korea parliamentary cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) meets with the South Korean National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa in Seoul, capital of the ROK, Nov 1, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

SEOUL -- Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday urged the legislatures of China and South Korea to strengthen exchanges and cooperation to inject fresh vitality into the overall development of bilateral ties.

Li, who is in Seoul for his first official visit to South Korea as premier, made the remarks during a meeting with Chung Ui-hwa, speaker of the South Korean National Assembly.

The visit, Li said, is aimed at promoting friendship, enhancing mutual trust, expanding exchanges and innovating on cooperation between China and South Korea, so as to better develop the two countries' strategic cooperative partnership.

Parliamentary cooperation is an important component of bilateral relations, and agreements and consensus reached between the two governments need the support of their legislative bodies, he noted.

The premier expressed his hope that the two sides will strengthen exchanges and cooperation in such areas as state governance, economic development and improvement of people's livelihood.

He also called on the South Korean parliament to play an irreplaceably important role in boosting cooperation between the two countries.

Chung, for his part, spoke highly of the fruitful talks Li and South Korean President Park Geun-hye held Saturday, and urged relevant departments of the two countries' governments to maintain institutionalized contact, implement the consensus and deepen bilateral cooperation.