An upcoming visit President Xi Jinping will make to the Republic of Korea has been described by the country's ambassador to China as being of "unparalleled significance".

Kwon Young-se said the president's trip will give a major boost to the bilateral and regional cooperation agenda, including negotiation of the China-ROK free trade agreement.

Xi is expected to fly to Seoul early next month on his first state visit to the country as president. ROK President Park Geun-hye visited China about a year ago and Xi's visit will be the fifth meeting between the two.