"China has maintained its status as the ROK's largest trade partner for over 20 consecutive years. This role is irreplaceable for the ROK economy, and deepening China-ROK economic and trade cooperation is also a practical need of the ROK in realizing further domestic economic development," he said.

"In terms of industrial chain and supply chain security, the ROK relies heavily on China. It is highly dependent on the Chinese market for key minerals like rare earths, and China is also the largest market for the ROK's chip industry," he added.

Exchanges important

The ROK's Jeju Island is a popular vacation destination for Chinese tourists. Last year, over 1.5 million Chinese tourists visited Jeju, accounting for more than 80 percent of all foreign visitors to the island.

The ROK implemented a 15-day visa-free policy for Chinese group tours starting from Sept 29. The move is seen as a positive response to China's unilateral visa exemption for ROK visitors introduced last November and valid until the end of this year.

As part of bilateral joint efforts to boost media exchanges and mutual understanding between the two nations, a Chinese Foreign Ministry journalists' delegation visited the ROK from Sept 15 to 18 at the invitation of the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs.