On August 26, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with ROK National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o in Seoul.

During the meeting, Hu pointed out that the China-ROK relations have developed rapidly since the two nations established diplomatic ties 16 years ago, adding that the exchanges and cooperation between the two sides haven been closer in various areas. The legislatures of the two countries have played an important role in this process and the exchanges between political circles are a significant part of China-ROK ties. The exchanges between the two parliaments are more active, said Hu, also pointing to the dynamic exchanges between the ROK ruling and opposition parties and the Communist Party of China (CPC) and relevant organizations and groups of China. All these contacts have further boosted mutual understanding and trust and played an important role in moving forward the sound and steady bilateral relations, Hu said. The Chinese leader expressed the hope that the parliaments and political circles of the two countries would strengthen exchanges and cooperation and make new contributions to the constantly developing China-ROK ties.

Kim said the ROK people enjoy the fast-developing ties with China. The ROK side highly commends China's close attention to peace and stability in Northeast Asia and its important role in the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula, he said. All political parties in the ROK support strengthening the exchanges and cooperation between Seoul and Beijing in various areas and are willing to make positive efforts to further bilateral ties, Kim added.

Kim expressed congratulations to Hu over the successful hosting of the Beijing Olympics and the excellent results achieved by Chinese athletes. He said the ROK people will remember the Beijing Olympics as the ROK athletes achieved in Beijing the best results at an Olympics. Hu expressed gratitude to the ROK government and people for their support for the Beijing Olympics and congratulated the ROK athletes on their outstanding performances.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the above activities.