Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Seoul on Wednesday
that the Chinese government encourages South Korean enterprises to
participate in the revitalization of the old industrial base in
northeastern China.
"South Korean enterprises are welcome to participate in the
infrastructure and ecological environment construction in western
China, the revitalization process of the old industrial base in
northeastern China, and the restructuring of the state-owned
enterprises," Wen said at a luncheon with some entrepreneurs from
both countries.
Both sides should join efforts to eliminate all barriers and
promote mutual investment, he said.
China hopes that South Korean enterprises could expand their
investment in such sectors as agriculture, high-tech industry and
services, Wen added.
He said the Chinese government encourages and supports South
Korean enterprises to invest in China.
Bilateral trade between the two countries has achieved rapid
development in the past 15 years. The trade volume between the two
countries reached US$134.3 billion last year, a 260-percent
increase from the US$50 billion in 1992.
South Korea has set up more than 30,000 enterprises in China by
the end of 2006, with an accumulated investment of US$35 billion.
Meanwhile, more and more Chinese enterprises choose to invest in
South Korea.
Wen, who arrived here Tuesday morning for his first-ever visit
as a premier to South Korea, held talks with his South Korean
counterpart Han Duck-soo and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun,
and attended the opening ceremony of the China-South Korea Exchange
Year.
He will leave for Japan on Wednesday and is scheduled to
conclude his two-nation tour on Friday.
(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2007)
