ROK seeking to upgrade ties with neighbor

Republic of Korea (ROK) President Lee Myung-bak's visit to China is aimed to upgrade bilateral relations and will dispel suggestions that he views China second to traditional allies the United States and Japan, ROK's ambassador has said.

"China and ROK both have seen a new leadership this year. Thus the main purpose of President Lee's visit at this time is to demonstrate he attaches great importance to our bilateral ties and that he is trying hard to bring it to a higher level," Shin Jung-seung told China Daily on Friday.

Lee's four-day China trip, beginning today and following his visits last month to the United States and Japan, is widely seen as an important leg of his tours to Seoul's key diplomatic partners.