PM, Chinese provincial leader agree to bolster bilateral ties

South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn (R) poses with Chen Min’er, the Communist Party secretary of China’s southwestern Guizhou Province, prior to their talks at the government complex in Seoul on April 20, 2016.

SEOUL, April 20 (Yonhap) — South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and a visiting top Chinese official from Guizhou Province agreed Wednesday to work closely together to bolster bilateral ties.

Chen Min’er, the Communist Party secretary of China’s southwestern province, arrived in Seoul on Tuesday to meet with senior South Korean government officials and attend cultural events.

“I wish South Korea-China relations will develop and that the cooperation between Seoul and Guizhou Province will be strengthened as well,” the premier said.

Hwang also agreed to bolster two-way trade between Seoul and the province, which has been one of China’s top three fastest-growing regions for the past three years.

In response, Chen expressed hope that more South Korean firms would eye the province’s vast market.

Earlier in the day, the Chinese official held talks with Trade Minister Joo Hyung-hwan. Chen is also slated to have lunch with Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se when he attends an event marking the “Day of Guizhou.”

The “Day of Guizhou” is part of a bilateral program that links a South Korean city with a Chinese province each year to strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties. This year, Guizhou’s counterpart is South Chungcheong Province.

Chen, known to be close to Chinese President Xi Jinping, made the five-day visit under a Foreign Ministry program that invites Chinese provincial leaders to visit Korea.

Last week, Wang Xiankui, the Communist Party secretary of Heilongjiang province, visited South Korea as part of the same program and met with Hwang.