Lee, Xi agree on closer cooperation on N. Korea, climate change

Lee-Chinese leader

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Chinese Vice
President Xi Jinping agreed Thursday to step up joint efforts to improve their
countries' relations and resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, Lee's office
said.

In their 50-minute breakfast meeting held in Seoul shortly before Lee's departure
to Copenhagen to attend the U.N. Climate Change Summit, the leaders also
exchanged views on environmental issues, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
"They shared the perception that the two nations' relations have steadily
developed in various fields since forging a 'strategic cooperative partnership'
last year," a Cheong Wa Dae official said in a background briefing for reporters.

Lee noted China's efforts toward the denuclearization of North Korea and stressed
the need for the international community to take a unified approach, the official
added. In response, Xi pledged Beijing's continued efforts for the early
resumption of the six-way nuclear talks.
Lee and Xi, seen as a likely successor of President Hu Jintao, also agreed to
step up the partnership between their countries for the successful hosting of
major international events, including the G-20 economic summit to be held in
Seoul next year, the 2010 Shanghai Expo in China, and the 2012 Yeosu Expo in
South Korean port city.
The leaders also spent a long time discussing green growth, said the Cheong Wa
Dae official, who attended their meeting.
President Lee was quoted as saying that prospects for the global fight against
climate change are not as dark as some advanced countries have forecast because
related technologies continue to be developed.
He added the U.N. summit underway in Copenhagen may not produce a perfect
agreement, but could serve as a good starting point.
Xi was quoted as telling Lee that China will actively participate in the world's
efforts against climate change, but that a forceful limit on economic growth is
not in its interest.
The vice president arrived here on Wednesday night for a four-day stay as part of
his regional tour. He has traveled to Japan and also plans to visit Myanmar and
Cambodia.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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