英语文摘:Chinese premier promotes cooperation, good neighborliness in South Korea tour

During the meeting with Lee, Wen told the South Korean president that sinking of South Korea's Cheonan warship was unfortunate and China understands the sorrows of the bereaved families as well as those of the South Korean people in general.

He extended condolences to the families of those killed and to the South Korean people.

The Chinese premier said that as a responsible nation, China takes serious note of the results of an investigation conducted by South Korea and some other countries, as well as the reactions of all parties.

China will make a judgement in an "objective and fair manner" and take its stance on the basis of facts concerning the incident, Wen said.

China is always committed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and has worked persistently for this end. China rejects and condemns any acts that damage peace and stability on the peninsula, Wen said.

He called on all parties concerned to remain calm and exercise restraint, so as to avert an escalation of the situation. Special efforts should be made to avoid conflicts in order to maintain the hard-won peace and stability on the peninsula, he said.

The Chinese leader also asked all parties to take a long-term perspective, promote the process of the Six-Party talks in a bid to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula for the sake of lasting peace and stability there.

China hopes the South Korean government will properly handle the warship sinking incident, and will keep close communication with South Korea on the issue, said Wen.

This is the Chinese premier's second visit to South Korea since 2007 and his first visit to the country since China and South Korea established strategic cooperative partnership in 2008.

Wen is also scheduled to attend the third trilateral summit of China, Japan and South Korea in the southern resort island of Jeju.

As good neighbors, China and South Korea had made joint efforts to achieve rapid and all-round development of the bilateral ties since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. China is the largest trade partner, export destination country and import market for South Korea, while South Korea is the third biggest trade partner for China. The two countries also worked closely when the world was hit by the global financial crisis.

South Korea is the first leg of Premier Wen's four-nation Asia tour, which will also take him to Japan, Mongolia and Myanmar.