Premier Li Keqiang met on March 27 with Lee Nak-Yeon, prime minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK), who is attending the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference in South China.

As major economies of the world and important countries in the region, Premier Li said, China and ROK are each other’s biggest economic and trade partners. China is ready to make joint efforts with ROK in promoting bilateral ties by deepening mutual trust, increasing interaction, and strengthening cooperation.

Noting that both economies are complementary, the Premier expressed his hope that the two sides could dock development strategies, tap potential in cooperation, expand trade and investment, as well as pursue pilot third-party market cooperation.

China is willing to accelerate negotiations on the China-Japan-ROK free trade zone, in order to promote regional economic integration, and to safeguard prosperity and stability of the region, Premier Li added.

Lee also said ROK and China are important neighbors, and continuing progress has been made in bilateral ties and cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The ROK is willing to actively take part in the construction of the Belt and Road, deepen cooperation in different fields with China, and to safeguard multilateralism and free trade.

State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Xiao Jie joined the meeting.