Xi sends greetings to ROK's next president

President Xi Jinping has congratulated Yoon Suk-yeol on his election as president of the Republic of Korea, saying that China is willing to promote the strategic cooperative partnership with the ROK to benefit both nations.

In his congratulatory message to Yoon on Thursday, Xi said that China and the ROK are close neighbors and important cooperative partners.

Since they established diplomatic ties, the countries' relations have been growing rapidly, bringing tangible benefits to the two nations, and making positive contributions to promoting regional and world peace, stability, development and prosperity, he said.

Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two sides, Xi said the anniversary is of great significance to bilateral ties.

China is willing to follow the original aspiration of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations with the ROK, deepen their friendly cooperation, and promote the steady and sustained progress of the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries for the benefit of both countries and their peoples, he added.

Yoon, from the main conservative opposition People Power Party, won the ROK presidential election held on Wednesday.

In a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the ROK Xing Haiming in Seoul on Friday, Yoon expressed his appreciation to Xi for the congratulatory message, saying that he looks forward to meeting with the Chinese president at an early date after he takes office, according to a news release published on the website of the Chinese embassy in the ROK.

Noting that China is the biggest trade partner of the ROK and also one of the most influential players in the world, Yoon said his country wants to intensify communication and cooperation with China on bilateral ties, as well as international and regional affairs.

Yoon said he is confident ROK-China relations will enjoy greater progress toward reaching a new stage.