Lee to Hold Summit With Hu
By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-Bak will make a four-day state visit to China from May 27 for summit talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Cheong Wa Dae announced Tuesday.
China will mark the third destination of Lee for his overseas visit as president, following the United States and Japan in April. Russia will likely be the fourth target.
The two leaders will discuss ways of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of diplomacy, economy, free trade, youth exchanges, North Korean issues and global climate change, the presidential office said.
They are also expected to discuss ways to closely cooperate for China's successful hosting of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Lee's aides said President Lee will seek to boost policy coordination with China to peacefully settle the North Korean nuclear problem within the framework of the six-party denuclearization talks, which also involve the United States, Japan and Russia.
Lee is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and other leaders to help cement a future-oriented Korean-Chinese partnership and solidify peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
Government officials expect expansion of ``practical'' economic cooperation ― such as discussion whether to launch bilateral free trade agreement talks ― will also be included in the agenda.
On his way home, Lee plans to visit Qingdao, Shandong Province, to encourage employees at Korean-invested companies operating there.
There is a possibility that President Hu might visit Seoul in June or July, according to government sources.
``China has agreed in principle on the visit by President Hu to South Korea,'' Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan had said.