Premier Wen arrives in SKorea for talks
(AP)Updated: 2007-04-10 11:11
SEOUL, South Korea -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived Tuesday in Seoul for talks with South Korean leaders on efforts to make sure North Korea gives up its nuclear weapons programs and other bilateral issues.
 Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao waves upon his arrival at a military airport in Songnam, south of Seoul April 10, 2007. [Reuters] |
Wen's two-day trip to South Korea is the first visit by a Chinese premier in seven years.
The premier is to meet South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun later Tuesday, where they are expected to "have a wide exchange of opinions on issues of bilateral concern, including development of Korea-China relations and a peaceful resolution of the North Korea nuclear issue," Roh's office said.
Local media have reported that the two leaders are also likely to discuss launching negotiations on a free trade agreement between China and South Korea. Last week, South Korea and the U.S. agreed to a proposed free trade agreement, which must be approved by both countries' legislatures.
Traveling with Wen is Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, also the chief Chinese envoy to international talks on North Korea's nuclear program.
Wen's visit comes amid concerns that the North will fail to meet a Saturday deadline to shut down its main nuclear reactor in exchange for energy aid. North Korea has insisted that a separate financial dispute be resolved first.
China has hosted international disarmament talks _ also involving the two Koreas, Japan, Russia and the United States _ since 2003 aimed at convincing Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
After South Korea, Wen is to travel to Japan where he will seek to mend ties strained by a series of territorial and historical disputes.
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