On August 25, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is on a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK), held talks with his ROK counterpart Lee Myung-bak at Chong Wa Dae in Seoul. The two heads of state exchanged in-depth views on bilateral ties and major international and regional issues of common concern and reached broad consensus. Both sides agreed to make joint efforts to well implement relevant consensus and push forward China-ROK relations in an all-round manner.

Hu also thanked the ROK government and its people for their support shown to the just-concluded Beijing Olympic Games and congratulated the ROK athletes for their good performance at the event. President Lee praised China for overcoming enormous difficulties posed by the devastating earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province on May 12 and congratulated on the successful hosting of the Beijing Olympiad, in which Chinese athletes bagged 51 gold medals to top the medal tally.

Hu said since the establishment of diplomatic ties 16 years ago, China-ROK relations have witnessed substantial development in all areas. The Chinese government attaches great importance to ties with the ROK and always gives top priority to developing China-ROK ties featuring long-term stability, good-neighborly friendship and mutual benefits in its foreign relations. China is ready to work with the ROK to map out a blueprint for long-term development of bilateral ties, deepen exchanges and cooperation in all areas and push forward China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership.

Hu emphasized that in developing China-ROK relations, both sides should take the fulfillment of long-term common development as a basic goal, share development opportunities, jointly meet challenges and deepen cooperation in a comprehensive manner. Both sides should always respect each other's social system and mode of development and support each other's peaceful development. Hu urged both sides to explore cooperation based on the principle of complementary advantages, mutual benefits and win-win results and extensively conduct contacts between youth, media, friendly cities and non-governmental organizations to deepen mutual understanding and friendly feelings between the two peoples. Hu also suggested both sides be dedicated to peace and stability of Northeast Asia and strengthen communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.

Hu forward a four-point proposal on bilateral cooperation priorities in the current and next period. First, enhance mutual political trust, Hu said both sides could "maintain frequent high-level contact, promote communication and exchanges between political parties and legislatures, while strengthening communication between the respective foreign ministries and defense authorities." Second, deepen economic and trade cooperation. Hu urged both sides to complete adjustments to the joint research report on medium- and long-term development planning in economic and trade cooperation, so that it can act as a guide for medium- and long-term economic and trade cooperation. The two countries could strengthen cooperation in such key areas as telecommunications, energy, finance, logistics and environmental protection, President Hu said. Third, expand humanities exchanges. China will host World Expo 2010 in Shanghai while the ROK will host the event's 2012 edition in Yosu. To further people-to-people exchanges, the two countries have designated 2010 as Visit China Year and 2012 as Visit Korea Year. Hu also proposed an expansion of people-to-people exchanges and exchanges of visits between the youth of the two countries. Fourth, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. A concerted effort could be made to push forward six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and advance other regional and sub-regional cooperation, said Hu. The two nations could also increase communication on major global issues such as combating terrorism and climate change to contribute to world peace and development, the Chinese president suggested.

Echoing Hu's views and proposals on ROK-China relations, Lee said the relations face new opportunities of development. He said the ROK hopes to enhance dialogue with China in diplomacy, security, politics and defense, and push forward cooperation on economics, trade, finance, investment, communications, energy-conservation, and tourism, while furthering communication in people-to-people contacts, including media exchanges. The ROK is ready to enhance cooperation with China on global affairs including anti-proliferation, counter-terrorism, combating narcotics and transnational crimes and environmental protection and continuously deepen mutual trust and friendly cooperative relations to contribute to world peace and prosperity.

The ROK would firmly adhere to the one-China policy on Taiwan and Tibet-related issues, Lee emphasized. President Hu expressed appreciation of his position.

After the talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony of a couple of cooperative documents on energy-conservation, high-tech, trade and education and jointly met the press.

On the same day, the two sides issued a joint communiqué.

Prior to the talks, Hu attended a grand welcoming ceremony held by Lee Myung-bak at Chong Wa Dae. On the afternoon of the same day, Hu called on the staff of the Chinese Embassy in the ROK and representatives from Chinese-funded institutions, overseas Chinese and Chinese students.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the above activities.