Xi, Park pledge to enrich China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership (3)

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and South Korean President Park Geun-hye jointly meet journalists after their talks in Seoul, South Korea, July 3, 2014. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

While meeting the press after the talks, Xi said that a new situation offers a new opportunity for the development of bilateral ties.

China and South Korea will not only seek shared development, but also join hands to cope with global challenges and safeguard the peace and stability in the region and the world at large, Xi said.

"Through this visit, I've got a feeling that China and South Korea have capabilities, conditions and willingness to strengthen their strategic cooperative partnership," he told reporters.

"I have full confidence in the future of China-South Korea relationship and also, I'm very much looking forward to it." he said. "I believe the ties between the two countries will surely continue to forge ahead and achieve new greater development."

Park described her talks with Xi as "candid and friendly." She told reporters that the two sides reached many important consensuses on cooperation in a wide range of areas and signed a series of important deals.

Park said that she believes President Xi's visit will forcefully advance the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, and become a "new milestone" in the history of bilateral relations.

Before their talks, a grand welcome ceremony was held at the Blue House for President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan.

Peng, accompanied by South Korean officials, visited a world cultural heritage site in Seoul, the ancient Changdeokgung Palace, and watched the performance of artists of traditional Korean instrument.

Peng said that the friendship between the two peoples goes back to ancient times and more Korean friends are welcomed to visit China.

The Chinese president arrived here Thursday for a two-day state visit to South Korea, his first trip to the Asian neighbor since he took office last year.