On October 18, 2011, ROK Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik met with former China's State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan in Seoul.

Tang said China and South Korea are important close neighbors to each other, and China always handles the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. The two countries will step on a new historic starting point as they will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries next year. China is willing to work with the ROK to well hold relevant celebrations, further expand exchanges and cooperation in all areas, and push forward China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership to benefit peoples of the two countries and contribute to regional peace and development, Tang said.

On his part, Kim said the ROK attaches great importance to its relations with China. He said the 20-year long diplomatic relations mean the bilateral ties between the two sides have grown to adulthood. Kim said his country is willing to work together with China to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other areas to push forward the strategic cooperative partnership with China.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues including the situation of the Korean Peninsula and trilateral cooperation among China, Japan and South Korea.

On October 19, Tang will attend the opening ceremony of the forum titled "Toward a New Era of Peace and Common Prosperity in Northeast Asia" in Seoul. Tang will make a keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

Chinese Ambassador to ROK Zhang Xinsen accompanied Tang during the above-mentioned activities.