Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao exchanged celebratory messages Thursday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, with Wen calling for deeper cooperation with Seoul, the South Korean foreign ministry said.
In the message to Kim, Wen said China wants to push for the "strategic and cooperative partnership" between the two nations to "take a step forward," the ministry said in a statement.
On the eve of the anniversary, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also sent a message to Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, praising "remarkable" strides in the development of bilateral relations, according to the statement.
Yang called South Korea a "good neighbor, friend and partner," it said.
South Korea and China established diplomatic ties on Aug. 24, 1992. Since then, the two nations have watched bilateral trade skyrocket to $220.6 billion last year from a meager $5 billion in 1992. (Yonhap)