Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said?in Seoul?Saturday that China and South Korea should keep the continuity and stability of their respective economic policies.

As two major economies in Asia, China and South Korea need to maintain the strength of the measures they adopted to deal with the financial crisis, Wen said at a meeting with South Korean businessmen.

In face of a global economic meltdown, the two nations have adopted effective counter-measures, which have not only achieved national economic revival but also contributed to the global economic recovery, he said.

However, there are still many uncertain and unstable factors affecting the world economy, Wen said, stressing that the anti-crisis efforts could not be relaxed now.

The Chinese premier also urged the two countries to strive to push bilateral trade and economic cooperation to a new level.

High and new technology, energy conservation and environmental protection as well as low-carbon and green economy should be the new priorities for bilateral cooperation, Wen said.

Based upon the principle of seeking common ground while shelving differences, efforts should also be made in a gradual manner to promote the process of setting up a China-South Korea free trade area (FTA), said the premier.

Wen also said South Korean enterprises are welcome to expand their investments in China, adding that China will see them as equals to Chinese enterprises as long as they abide by relevant laws.

The Chinese government encourages small- and medium-sized enterprises of the two countries to strengthen cooperation and will try to create favorable environment and conditions for them, Wen added.

The South Korean businessmen expressed their willingness to increase investment in China.

They said they are ready to explore new cooperation areas such as in clean energy, green economy and the research and application of high and new technologies while consolidating the existing cooperation.

They expressed support for an FTA, which will bring mutual benefits and produce win-win results.

They added that they hope enterprises of the two sides could enhance mutual understanding and cooperation through the ongoing Shanghai Expo in China.

Wen arrived here Friday on a three-day visit to South Korea.

The Chinese premier is also scheduled to attend the third trilateral summit of China, Japan and South Korea in the southern resort island of Jeju.