On November 22, 2004, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Hae-chan met in Seoul with Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili who was on an official friendly visit there. The two sides reached consensus on pushing for China-ROK exchanges and cooperation in science, technology and education and on facilitating bilateral personnel exchanges in various fields.

Lee Hae-chan highly commented on the rapid development of ROK-China ties and China's great achievements since its reform and opening up. He said that the ROK and China accumulate abundant experience in developing economy, science and technology according to their own national conditions and both sides can learn from each other in this respect. China has a time-honored history and boasts rich natural and cultural resources as well as outstanding human resources. It's hoped that both countries can continue close cooperation in political affairs, economy, trade, science, technology and education, learn from each other's strong points and close gap in a bid to realize common development.

Chen said that China-ROK ties have developed rapidly and scored remarkable effects in recent years. In particular, since both sides declared the establishment of China-ROK all-round cooperative partnership last July, bilateral ties have been further consolidated and developed. China is satisfied with the development of bilateral ties.

Chen noted that exchanges and cooperation in science, technology and education are an important part of China-ROK ties and are of great significance to enhancing understanding and cooperation. It's hoped that both sides can keep making new headways in exchanges and cooperation in these areas through joint efforts and further enrich the connotation of China-ROK all-round cooperative partnership.

On the same day, Chen also met with ROK Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Education and Human Resources Development Ahn Byung-young and attended the signing ceremony of the Educational Exchanges and Cooperation Agreement 2004-2006 between China and the ROK. The Agreement was jointly signed by Minister of Education Zhou Ji and his ROK counterpart Ahn Byung-young.

Chen arrived in Pusan on November 18 to start her visit to the ROK.