China hails ROK president's call for closer bilateral ties BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday spoke highly of statements made by President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Park Geun-hye on current bilateral ties at a press conference on Monday, expressing the hope to further promote their strategic cooperative partnership. Park said during her first news conference since inauguration on Monday that current China-ROK ties are closer than at any time in history, and called on both sides to make further contributions to enhancing both peoples' well-being and realizing peace and stability in northeast Asia. "China spoke highly of President Park's statements," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a daily press briefing. Park's state visit to China in June last year left Chinese with a deep and good impression, said Hua. The two countries reached an important consensus on enriching and deepening bilateral ties, pointing out the direction for the development of ties in the next five years and beyond, she said. Further development of the relationship between the two neighboring countries is not only in the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, but is also conducive to regional peace and stability, said Hua. China is ready to work with the ROK to continue to push forward the healthy and steady development of the strategic cooperative partnership, said Hua. China concords with ROK on Yasukuni visit BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Both China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) insist that Japan should face up to and reflect on history, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman. China and ROK are strategic partners of cooperation. The two countries are keeping close communication and consultation on issues of common concern," said Foreign Minister spokeswoman Hua Chunying in response to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, at a regular press briefing.