South Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik will visit China next month for talks with his counterpart and other senior officials on ways to develop diplomatic and economic ties, Kim’s office said Tuesday.

During the April 12-14 trip, Kim will hold talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and pay a visit to President Hu Jintao, the office said in a statement.

Kim will also meet with Wu Bangguo, China’s top legislator and the country’s second-ranking official during the visit.

Kim will be the fifth South Korean prime minister to visit China.

Kim’s talks with the Beijing officials will focus on ways to move “strategic partnership” relations between the two countries forward and to promote practical cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, Kim’s office said.

The prime minister will also attend the Boao Forum for Asia, one of Asia’s major annual economic meetings, on April 14-15 in Boao, in China’s Hainan province.

On Friday, he will deliver a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the forum to suggest policies for sustainable growth and inclusive development, and introduce South Korea’s experiences and positions on development and welfare policies, the office said.

Kim will also meet with former and incumbent state leaders and major business figures coming to participate in the forum. The office said Kim’s visit is expected to further solidify relations between the two sides and promote practical cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, culture and personnel exchanges. 

(Yonhap News)