South Korean President Lee Myung-bak asked
China's parliament Monday to redouble its efforts to further strengthen the two countries' relations.
In a meeting with Chen Zhili, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, Lee also held out hope that China will play a constructive role for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, according to Lee's office, Cheong Wa Dae.
Chen is visiting Seoul as part of a regular exchange of trips by vice speaker of South Korea's National Assembly and vice chairperson of the NPC.
Lee noted that "South Korea and China have achieved an unprecedented fast development of relations and expressed hope that the two will further bolster mutual understanding and trust for a higher-level relationship," Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.
The neighbouring countries commemorated the 18th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties last week.
The president requested the NPC's special support for developing a "strategic, cooperative partnership" between Seoul and Beijing, it added.
In response, Chen said the NPC would make more efforts for closer ties between the two governments and their peoples.
Lee and Chen agreed to the importance of Seoul and Beijing working together for the peace and stability of the peninsula where tensions have
soared in recent months due to Pyongyang's provocations and Seoul's zero-tolerance approach.
Cheong Wa Dae did not clarify whether Lee and Chen talked about North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's reported trip to China that began last week. North Korea and China have yet to confirm relevant media reports.