China and the South Korea agreed that the two countries will continue to work on reaching a free-trade agreement (FTA) and promote regional economic cooperation in Asia.

The commitment was made on Jan 23 when Vice-Premier Wang Yang met with South Korean President Park Geun-hye in Seoul.

Wang, who was in Seoul on an official visit, delivered a message from President Xi Jinping, expressing his willingness to keep close exchanges with President Park on issues of common concern, and adding that the two countries should deepen their strategic partnership.

Wang said due to the work done by leaders of both nations, the China-South Korea relationship has gained good momentum and pragmatic cooperation has increasingly deepened.

He called on both sides to work together and continue to expand cultural communication and personnel exchanges.

China hopes consensus will be soon reached on signing the bilateral free trade agreement, as a concerted effort to facilitate regional economic integration, Wang said.

Park thanked for President Xi’s message and praised the achievements China and its people have made amid the global economic slowdown.

The bilateral cooperation in various fields is encouraging, and the Year of Chinese Tourism will be this year’s key project of people-to-people exchanges between China and South Korea, Park said.

She noted that her country is willing to keep close communication with China in all fields and realize the free trade agreement at an early date to boost economic growth in both countries, and also in northeast Asia.

The two sides also exchanged views concerning the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

On the same day, Wang held a meeting with South Korean Deputy Prime Minister Choi Kyoung-hwan and attended the launch ceremony of the tourism campaign with South Korean Deputy Prime Minister Hwang Woo-yea

He also delivered a speech at a bilateral economic and trade forum.

The two countries signed cooperation plans on trade, economy and cultural exchanges during the vice-premier’s visit.

Vice-Premier Wang Yang (1st L) holds talks with South Korean Deputy Prime Minister Choi Kyoung-hwan (1st R) in Seoul, South Korea, Jan 23, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Vice-Premier Wang Yang delivers a speech at a bilateral economic and trade forum in Seoul, South Korea, Jan 23, 2015..[Photo/Xinhua]