Editor's note: President Xi Jinping on Friday held two separate meetings with international dignitaries attending the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Heilongjiang province.

China calls for consolidating strategic partnership with ROK

President Xi Jinping called on China and the Republic of Korea to work together to consolidate and advance their strategic cooperative partnership as he met with the National Assembly Speaker of the ROK Woo Won-shik on Friday.

Noting that China's policy toward the ROK remains stable, Xi said bilateral ties have continued to grow over the past 30 years, promoting cooperation and contributing to regional peace and development.

As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) as well as the 80th anniversary of the ROK's National Liberation Day, Xi said both countries should well organize commemorative activities.

He underlined the need to deepen mutually integrated and win-win economic and trade relations, which conforms to the common interests of both peoples.

Xi also urged the two sides to enhance cultural exchanges and strengthen friendship between the peoples.

Noting that the ROK and China will respectively host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting this year and next, the Chinese president called for mutual support for each other in hosting the event.

Woo said bilateral cooperation has played a significant role in the respective development of the two countries, adding that Seoul is ready to make concerted efforts with Beijing to elevate their bilateral relationship.

He pledged that friendship with China is one of the core tenets of the country's foreign policy, and will not change.

Woo added that he hoped that the two countries could beef up economic and trade cooperation, maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, expand personnel exchanges, and jointly commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

He also expressed hope that the two sides will support each other in hosting the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

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