SEOUL - The Republic of Korea (ROK) is one of China's important neighbors. Bilateral ties have witnessed a rapid development since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 19 years ago and particularly a strategic cooperative partnership in 2008. They will further thrive as both sides work hard to promote them.

Over the past 19 years, China-ROK relations have developed fast in various fields, such as politics, economy and trade, science and technology and culture.

Close bilateral cooperation has vigorously boosted each other's social and economic development, brought real benefits to the two peoples and promoted peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region.

In recent years, the two countries have witnessed frequent high-level contacts and intensified strategic communications. Leaders of both countries highly value bilateral strategic cooperative partnership.

In April 2010, ROK's President Lee Myung-bak attended the opening ceremony of the Shanghai World Expo and held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

In November 2010, President Hu visited ROK and attended the G20 Seoul Summit, while Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited ROK in May 2010 and attended the third China-Japan-ROK summit.

Both countries are engaged in close economic and trade cooperation, with their interdependence increasing day by day. In 2010, bilateral trade volume totaled $207 billion, surpassing the target of $200 billion two years ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, a new target of $300 billion was set for 2015.

Last year, China remained as South Korea's largest trade partner for the seventh year in a row, with bilateral trade value exceeding the combined total of South Korea's trade with the United States and Japan. Meanwhile, ROK became China's third largest trade partner in the year.

In culture, education and tourism, exchanges between China and ROK are diversified and further reinforced. A total of 130 pairs of sister cities have established between the two countries and more than 800 flights shuttle between the two countries each week. Last year, visitor flow between both countries exceeded 6 million.

In addition, some 68,000 ROK's students are currently studying in China, while more than 80,000 Chinese students are studying in ROK.

On international affairs, the two countries maintain close coordination,share broad consensus and are working together to safeguard their common interests. China attaches great importance to peace and stability on the Korea Peninsula as well as in the region, for which China has made unremitting efforts. ROK appreciates China's positive role in this regard.

China and ROK will mark the 20th anniversary of their diplomatic ties next year. The rapid development of China-ROK ties in the past 19 years has fully demonstrated the strategic value and significance of the friendly cooperation between the two countries. The China-ROK ties are bound to have a broad prospect.