Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao touched down in Seoul on Tuesday for an official visit to South Korea, the first such trip by a Chinese premier in seven years.

In a written statement issued upon arrival, Wen said this trip would be carried out under the aims of boosting strategic communication and finding more common ground between the two countries.

He stressed that to pursue a closer overall partnership with South Korea would remain China's continuous objective and that his visit would help bring China and South Korea closer together.

2007 marks the 15th anniversary since diplomatic ties were established between the two countries and forms a bilateral Exchange Year.

During the last 15 years, Wen said, the two countries have always sought to further cooperation and exchanges, benefiting both peoples and helping secure regional peace and development.

Wen will meet with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, as well as the parliamentary and party leaders before attending the opening ceremony of the China-South Korea Exchange Year.

After his stay in South Korea, Wen will travel on to Japan for a journey of peace and friendship, returning the courteous visit of Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe's  to China last October.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2007)