South Korean President Lee Myung-bak left for Beijing, the capital city of China, on Tuesday to launch his first-ever state visit to China.

Lee, who took office as South Korean president on February 25, is scheduled to stay in China until Friday.

During his four-day visit to China, Lee is expected to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other Chinese officials in Beijing. He is also set to visit Qingdao, Shandong Province, where more than 5,000 South Korean companies operate.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2008)