The activities of A Year of Exchanges between the Peoples of China and Korea officially begin on March 27th. Premier Zhu Rongji of the State Council sends a letter of congratulations to the opening ceremony for the activities of In Commemoration of 10th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Korea -- A Year of Exchanges between the Peoples of China and Korea.

Nam Kong Jin, Senior Officer of Korean Ministry of Culture and Sightseeing, and Kim Ha-jung, Ambassador of Korea to China, hold a reception for the opening ceremony of the activities of In Commemoration of 10th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Korea 　 A Year of Exchanges between the Peoples of China and Korea on the night of March 27th at Kempinski Hotel in Beijing.

Sun Jianzheng, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of A Year of Exchanges between the Peoples of China and Korea on the Chinese side and Minister of the Cultural Ministry, reads out Premier Zhu Rongji's letter of congratulations at the opening ceremony. The letter of congratulations says Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Korea, the relationship between the two nations has had a rapid development in all fields. The reciprocal visits between the high-ranking officials of the two countries are very frequent, the economic and trade collaborations are developing with each passing day and the cultural exchanges are developing continuously in depth. In 1998, the heads of the two nations declared jointly to establish a Sino-Korean cooperation partnership to face 21st century, which pointed out the way for the development of the relationship between the two nations. In 2000, both nations agreed unanimously to push forward the Sino-Korean cooperation partnership and to develop it to a new stage of all-round cooperation. The practice has proved that the continuous development of the Sino-Korean relationship in all fields is not only in compliance with the fundamental interests of the two nations and the peoples of the two countries but also an important contribution to maintain the regional and even the peace, stability and prosperity of the world. For marking 10th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Korea, both sides have agreed to make this year the Year of Exchanges between the Peoples of China and Korea, and prepared jointly a series of commemorative activities. In addition to send various kinds of delegations to the other country respectively in the Year of Exchanges, both sides will hold various forms of exchanging activities, such as symposium, exhibition and performance of culture and arts, and economic and trade talks. These exchanges will not only reflect the status of the relationship between the two countries and the trend of the development of the present era but also express the common wish of the peoples of the two nations, thirsting for a further improvement of mutual understanding and trust. I am confident that with the help of various activities of In Commemoration of 10th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Korea -- A Year of Exchanges between the Peoples of China and Korea, the friendship between China and Korea is sure to strike root in the hearts of the people and the cooperation partnership between the two nations will also step into a newer and higher stage for development. Congratulations beforehand on a complete success of the opening ceremony In Commemoration of 10th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Korea 　 A Year of Exchanges between the Peoples of China and Korea and various activities for the Year of Exchanges.

Nam Kong Jin, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of A Year of Exchanges between the Peoples of China and Korea on the Korean side and Senior Officer of Korean Ministry of Culture and Sightseeing, delivers a speech, wishing the two nations of Korea and China an even closer and more matured relationship. The Korean artists give a wonderful performance at the reception.

Present at the reception on the Chinese side are Ceng Jianhui,Director Member of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the NPC, Wang Yi, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Jiarui, Deputy Minister of International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Li Gang, Deputy Director of Information Office of the State Council.

(From Cultural Newspaper of China)