On July 7, 2003, President Hu Jintao held talks with ROK (Republic of Korea) President Roh Moo-hyun, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern, and reached wide-ranging consensus.

Hu pointed to the substantial development of bilateral relations since they forged diplomatic ties, the benefits to the two peoples brought about by cooperation in all areas, and the important contributions made by the two sides to regional peace, stability and development. He characterized the development of Sino-ROK relations as "rapid growth, remarkable achievements, vast potential and broad prospects". The establishment and development of an all-round cooperative partnership between China and the ROK will push forward bilateral good-neighborly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. Hu suggested the two countries strengthen high-level exchanges and increase dialogue and exchanges between different departments and at various levels; advance bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, science, technology, communications, energy and finance, and strive to increase their annual trade volume to 100 billion US dollars in five years; and expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, media and youth. The two countries should also strengthen coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs to promote regional and world peace and development, and they should promptly and properly address bilateral issues and jointly safeguard their friendship.

Roh fully agreed with Hu’s suggestions. He said bilateral relations had made rapid and all-round development since the two countries established diplomatic ties 11years ago, and the two countries had made encouraging achievements in exchanges and cooperation in various fields. The steady development of bilateral relations conformed to the interests of the two countries and was conducive to regional peace and stability. The ROK hoped to enhance exchanges with China, especially bilateral high-level visits and youth exchanges. Besides, the ROK looked forward to strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations, and promoting bilateral cooperation in such fields as culture, education and society in a bid to establish an all-round cooperative partnership.

On the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Hu explained China’s principled position on the DPRK nuclear issue and emphasized that China has always worked to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, stuck to a nuclear-free peninsula and a peaceful settlement through dialogue, and stood for taking into account and solving the security concerns of the DPRK. Hu said that China and the ROK share many common points on their stands on the DPRK nuclear issue. While seeking to peacefully solve the DPRK nuclear issue, China and the ROK should strengthen mutual coordination and contacts and play their due role and continue the dialogue process started by Beijing talks. Hu said that China’s policy towards the peninsula is consistent. We support reconciliation and cooperation between the North and South, and the final realization of independence and peaceful reunification on the peninsula. The Chinese side will, as always, play a constructive role. Roh said that the ROK and China have wide consensus on their position on the DPRK nuclear issue. The ROK side sticks to a nuclear-free peninsula and a peaceful settlement of the DPRK nuclear issue through dialogue. The ROK side speaks highly of Beijing talks, thanks the Chinese side for its efforts and hopes the process can continue.