At the invitation of President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China, President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea paid a state visit to China from 27 to 30 May 2008 and was accorded a grand and warm reception by the Chinese Government and people.

During the visit, President Hu Jintao had talks with President Lee Myung-bak. President Lee Myung-bak also met with Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council and Chairman Jia Qinglin of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference .

President Lee Myung-bak expressed deep condolences and sympathy to the great loss of life and property caused by the earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province and offered to provide necessary help to China's disaster relief effort. President Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders expressed sincere thanks to the ROK Government and people for their care and timely help such as sending a rescue team. Both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on handling natural disasters such as earthquake, tsunami and typhoon.

During the talks and meetings, the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views and reached extensive agreement on further developing China-ROK friendly relations and cooperation on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

I. Further Developing Bilateral Relations

The two sides applauded the rapid growth of their relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992. They both agreed to raise their comprehensive and cooperative partnership to the level of strategic cooperative partnership and step up exchanges and cooperation in the diplomatic, security, economic, social, cultural, people-to-people and other areas.

Both sides believed that dialogue and cooperation in the diplomatic and security areas should be further strengthened and agreed to establish a high-level strategic dialogue mechanism between the two foreign ministries and develop the existing diplomatic security dialogue into a mechanism.

The two sides decided to increase the exchanges between their leaders, government agencies, parliaments and political parties.

The Chinese side reiterated that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. The ROK side expressed its full understanding of and respect for China's position and reaffirmed its position that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that it upholds the one China principle.

II. Expanding Economic Cooperation and Trade

The two sides agreed to adjust and enrich the Joint Research Report on China-ROK Mid-to-Long Term Development Plan on Economic Cooperation and Trade issued by the leaders of the two countries in 2005 to reflect the new progress on bilateral economic cooperation and trade which will serve as the basis for further practical cooperation in this field.

The two sides commended the smooth progress of the joint study on China-ROK FTA by government agencies, industries and academia and agreed to build on past achievements and continue the research to push forward the bilateral FTA for win-win result.

The two sides welcomed the amendment and issuance of the Treaty on Investment Protection Between China and the ROK and agreed that the Treaty is conducive to protecting and expanding two-way investment and is in line with the development of the mutually beneficial business relations.

The two sides agreed to work together to gradually achieve balance in the bilateral trade as it develops. The ROK side expressed its readiness to take an active part in China's various trade and investment fairs such as the China Import and Export Fair, China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair and continue to send to China purchasing and investment groups. China expressed appreciation of this.

The two sides agreed to the need of strengthening concrete cooperation on mobile communication, actively supporting further capital and technological cooperation between the two countries' communication enterprises and expanding the cooperation on electronics and information communication to areas such as software and radio frequency identification.

The two sides agreed to strengthen extensive and mutually beneficial energy cooperation such as cooperation on nuclear power, oil reserve, joint development of resources and renewable energy in an effort to achieve concrete results in cooperation on energy conservation.

The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on IPR protection, food safety and quality inspection, logistics and labour service.

The two sides believed that closer financial cooperation is conducive to the development of the financial industry of both countries. They believed that they should learn from each other, share experience, improve their financial systems, promote the reform and opening up of their financial markets and step up coordination and cooperation in international and regional financial institutions.

The two sides agreed to enhance joint study and survey in areas such as polar science and technology.

Both sides recognized the importance to strengthen environmental cooperation and agreed to enhance exchanges and cooperation on environmental industry, sand storm monitoring and the Yellow Sea environmental protection, etc.

The two sides agreed to actively cooperate in the preparation of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the 2012 Yeosu World Expo.

III. Enhancing People-to-people and Cultural Exchanges

The two sides decided to enlarge the programs of mutual youth visit and step up exchange activities such as home stay and home visit and expand the program of governmental scholarship swapping.

The two sides agreed to explore ways to streamline visa procedures so as to increase mutual personnel visit.

China welcomed the setting up of a consulate-general in Wuhan, China by the ROK.

The two sides believed that the long history of bilateral exchange is an important asset of China-ROK friendly relations. To enhance mutual understanding, both sides should actively support the exchanges on history and culture between their academic institutions.

IV. Advancing Cooperation on Regional and International Affairs

The Chinese side reiterated its firm support to the improvement of relations and ultimate peaceful reunification between the north and south of the Korean Peninsular through dialogue. The ROK side appreciated China's efforts in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsular and looked forward to China's continued constructive role.

The ROK side stated its positions on facilitating the settlement of the Korean nuclear issue and expanding exchanges and cooperation in the economic, social and other areas between the north and the south of the Korean Peninsular. China expressed its understanding of the ROK's positions and hoped to see progress in the reconciliation and cooperation between the north and the south of the Korean Peninsular.

Both sides believed that the second phase Action Plan of the September 19 Joint Statement by the Six Party Talks should be fully implemented at an early date under the principle of "action to action". The two sides agreed to work with other parties concerned to look into and formulate the action plan for the next phase in a constructive effort to fully implement the September 19 Joint Statement.

The two sides recognized the importance of China-ROK cooperation to the Six Party Talks and the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsular and agreed to continue their close cooperation for achieving peace and stability on the Korean Peninsular and in Northeast Asia.

The two sides reaffirmed the important role of the United Nations in solving issues of global significance and agreed to continue their close cooperation in UN affairs. The two sides believed that the UN reform should enhance the authority, effectiveness and efficiency of the organization so that its system, based on the consensus of the member states, will be more transparent, democratic and representative. Both sides support the UN Secretary General's efforts to enhance the efficiency and role of the UN.

The two sides believed that cooperation among China, the ROK and Japan is very important to peace, stability and prosperity of Asia. The two sides agreed to work together to maintain the regular meetings among the three countries, such as the talks of their leaders and foreign ministers that take place alternately in the three countries.

The two sides agreed to work together for the success of the 7th ASEM Summit to be held in Beijing this year.

The two sides agreed to step up cooperation on issues of mutual interest such as climate change, non-proliferation of WMD, combating international terrorism, financial and economic crime, piracy and high-tech crime.

V. The two sides welcomed the signing of the Treaty Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Polar Science and Technology Between the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Korea and the Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Recognition of Higher Education Degrees and Background between the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Korea.

VI. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the achievements of President Lee Myung-bak's visit to China and believed that this visit is important to the further growth of bilateral relations.

President Hu Jintao said he looked forward to welcoming President Lee Myung-bak at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. President Lee Myung-bak wished the Beijing Olympic Games a complete success and a grand gathering of human harmony and solidarity. He said he would attend the opening ceremony.

President Lee Myung-bak expressed thanks to China for the warm hospitality and invited President Hu Jintao to visit the Republic of Korea at an early date. President Hu Jintao thanked him for the invitation and accepted the invitation with pleasure.