Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with representatives of ROK-China friendship organizations in Seoul, Oct 27, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

SEOUL - Visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday called on both sides to enhance the friendship between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK), so as to further contribute to the bilateral ties.

Li made the call while meeting with representatives of ROK-China friendship organizations in Seoul.

Speaking highly of their unremitting efforts to strengthen friendship between the two peoples and their important role in promoting development of the bilateral ties, Li said both China and the ROK are important countries in the region, and they are good neighbours and major partners as well. Maintaining good relationship between China and ROK will not only benefit the two countries and two peoples, but also contribute to regional peace and development.

Li said he hopes that the friendship organizations could continue to make active efforts to deepen friendly sentiments between the two peoples, promote pragmatic exchanges and cooperation, so as to further contribute to lifting the bilateral ties to a new high.

Echoing Li's remarks, representatives of the friendship organizations said they are willing to take the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties next year as an opportunity to further boost exchanges and cooperation in various areas.

The visiting Chinese official also made responses to the organizations' proposals of deepening friendly cooperation, accelerating establishment of China-ROK free trade zone, strengthening people-to-people exchanges and making joint efforts to maintain peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.

Li currently is on a two-day official visit to South Korea. After he arrived here earlier Wednesday, he held talks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Prime Minister Kim Hwang-Sik respectively.  He will leave for home later Thursday.