China`s vice president leaves S. Korea en route to Myanmar

SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Yonhap) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping wrapped up his
four-day visit to South Korea on Saturday, flying to Myanmar as part of a
regional tour as China's likely next leader.
Xi met with President Lee Myung-bak and Prime Minister Chung Un-chan and also
covered a spate of meetings with leaders of the ruling and opposition parties and
the business community in South Korea.
In a message to the South Korean government ahead of his departure, Xi thanked
Lee for the "warm hospitality" and said the two countries reached a consensus in
various areas of mutual interest during his visit.
"Through this visit, the two nations reached an important consensus with regard
to Korea-China relations, regional and international issues," Xi was quoted by
Seoul's Foreign Ministry as saying in the message.
"I'm leaving here with a deep and positive impression about the development of
the Republic of Korea and the passion of its people," Xi said. "I have conviction
that the Korea-China strategic partnership will develop solidly to a higher
level."
Yu Woo-ik, South Korea's new ambassador to China and one of President Lee's
right-hand men, saw Xi and his 50 member entourage off at Kimhae Airport west of
Seoul.
South Korea was the second leg of his four-nation tour that started in Japan and
ends in Cambodia on Dec. 22. His trip here was the first by a Chinese vice
president since a 1998 visit to Seoul by the then vice president and current
leader Hu Jintao.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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