Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with visiting Republic of Korea (ROK) President Lee Jae Myung in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Li said China places high importance on ties with the ROK and is ready to strengthen strategic communication, political trust and practical cooperation, while managing differences and advancing relations along the right track for the benefit of both peoples.

Noting that the two countries are close economic and trade partners with deeply integrated industrial and supply chains, Li called for healthy competition and win-win cooperation rather than a zero-sum approach. He urged expanded cooperation in high-end manufacturing, artificial intelligence and new energy, and welcomed ROK enterprises to increase investment in China.

Li also called on both sides to uphold multilateralism and free trade, and to contribute to regional and global peace and stability.

Lee said the ROK values its relations with China, respects China’s core interests, and is willing to deepen cooperation in economy, trade and other fields. He welcomed Chinese companies to invest in the ROK and expressed readiness to enhance coordination with China on multilateral affairs.