Chinese envoy credited with role in improving Seoul-Beijing ties

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Yonhap) -- The outgoing Chinese ambassador to South Korea said Thursday that he was able to witness the rapid development of relations between the two neighboring nations during his three-year tenure here.

"Looking back on my life for the three years, it was too short, but I think it
was satisfactory in terms of content," Ning Fukui told Foreign Minister Yu
Myung-hwan in their farewell meeting at the ministry building in central Seoul.
In response, Yu extolled the envoy's efforts for improving Seoul-Beijing ties,
which were formally restored in 1992.
"During your stay here, the two nations' exchanges have markedly grown. Their
relations have been upgraded. It is a result of your arduous efforts," Yu said
during a photo session of the closed-door meeting.
China has emerged as South Korea's largest trading partner, with their trade
volume reaching US$145 billion last year. Nearly 4.8 million South Koreans
visited China and more than one million Chinese traveled to South Korea in 2007
alone, according to ministry data.
Ning is scheduled to return to China on Oct. 20 as his formal term in South Korea
has ended. He is replaced by Cheng Yonghua, Beijing's ambassador to Kuala Lumpur.
The new envoy is expected to arrive here late this month or early next month to
take up the post, Chinese embassy officials said.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)