On October 19, 2003, President Hu Jintao met with ROK President Roh Moo-hyun.

Hu noted that the two sides decided to build a comprehensive partnership of cooperation and mapped out priority areas for bilateral cooperation during Roh's visit to China in July, adding that inspired by the spirits of the visit, bilateral cooperation had registered new progress, as reflected by the frequent contacts between the leaders of the two countries. He said bilateral economic cooperation and trade had developed rapidly at the present stage, citing the fact that bilateral trade volume had topped 44 billion US dollars from January to September this year. He said China was of the view that the smooth development of bilateral relations and constant expansion of bilateral friendly cooperation did bring tangible benefits to both peoples, expressing the hope that the two sides would double their efforts to deliver a real comprehensive partnership of cooperation.

Roh said bilateral cooperation had registered gratifying results, adding that the ROK side would further develop its cooperation with China in various fields, take measures to remove obstacles in the development of bilateral trade and increase imports from China. He said the ROK side attached great importance to its coordination and cooperation with China in regional and international affairs, adding that it was of great significance for the two sides to make joint efforts to maintain regional peace and stability.

On the DPRK nuclear issue, Hu reiterated China's consistent policy, pointing out that China and ROK had the same or similar views on the issue and both countries believed the issue should be resolved by peaceful means. He voiced the hope that both countries would work together to maintain the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and to keep the Beijing dialogue process going.