As the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea approaches, the youth associations of the two countries are busy in preparing and launching celebrations.

　　Eighty-two young students from 24 associations of Pusan, Korea, visited Beijing from Jan.15 to Jan. 18 in a trip sponsored by the Council of Youth Organizations of Pusan.

　　The delegation paid a visit to the headquarters of the All-China Youth Federation as soon as they arrived in Beijing. Huang Danhua, Vice Chairwoman of the All-China Youth Federation, held a friendly talk with Mr Lee Sangyui, Chairman of the Council of Youth Organizations of Pusan. Ms Huang said it was the first delegationreceived by the All-China Youth Federation in 2002, the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea. Ms Huang underlined the importance of the friendly relations and the co-operation between China and South Korea.

　　"China and South Korea have developed a fine relationship since we established full relations," she said, adding that she believed the visit would advance the friendship of the youth between China and South Korea. Mr Lee thanked her for her warm words of welcome. He said he was very happy to be able to make this visit as representatives of the youth of South Korea and looked forward to the coming daysin Beijing and he believed that rewarding experiences are waiting for us in thisgreat, mighty and remarkable country.

　　The delegation then went to the Beijing 21st Experimental School, a famous boarding school in Beijing. Financed by both government and corporations, the Beijing 21st Experimental School fosters innovative minds with teachers coming from around the world. Meanwhile, the Pusan International Middle & High School is a public school founded in 1998 that aims to foster the talents necessary for the knowledge society of the 21st century. A sister-school relationship was reached between the two schools. Besides information exchanges and essay and report exchanges via the Internet, the teachers and students between the two schools will also pay visits to one another and start an educational exchange program.

　　On Jan. 16, the Delegation paid a visit to the Ministry of Education of China. Tian Xiaogang, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation & Exchange, expressed the welcome for the delegation and held talks with Mr Lee and other key members. Mr Tian said China encourages and

supports students to study abroad and welcome foreign students to China for learning. To date, China has hosted 15,000 Korean students and Korea has welcomed 1,600 Chinese students. Korean guests said Korea's interest in China goes back to ancient traditions. The study of China's history, language and culture has long roots in Korea and has become a hot subject in recent years. It is highly appreciated that China will assist in the training of Chinese teaching staff. Mr Tian promised the Cultural Section of China Embassy in Korea would satisfy their demands.

　　In the afternoon the delegation drove to Oriental College Town, which is locatedin the Lang Fang Economic & Technical Development Zone along the Beijing-Tianjin-Tanggu Expressway. Almost 10,000 students from Beijing No.25 University and the Beijing Industry & Commercial University study and live there. In the next decade, RMB 12 billion will be investedsintosthe construction of a modern educational park accommodating 150,000 students and 50,000 faculty staffs. Oriental Educational Town also provides vast opportunities for the international educational cooperation and cultural exchange.

　　What's more, aiming to advance the mutual cooperation between the youth organizations of the two countries, Mr Yang Xiaohuai, President of the Journal of China Profiles of the All-China Youth Federation, and Mr Lee Sangyui, Chairman of the Council of Youth organizations of Pusan, signed exchange agreement to carry out youth exchanges and prepared to establish the Fund for Youth Exchange on Jan 17. Many leaders presented themselves at the occasion, such as Mr Zhu Weiqun, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of United Front, Mr Zhang Guoxiang, Deputy Secretary General of CPPCC, Ms Huang Danhua, Vice Chairwoman of All-China Youth Federation, Mr Yuan Xikun, Committeeman of the CPPCC, Mr Ai Hongge, Deputy Director of Division ofAsian and African Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Mr Liu Jinhu, Standing member of All-China Youth Federation, Mr Luo Haigang, Standing member of All-ChinaYouth Federation, Ms Chen Jing, commissioner of the All-China Youth Federation, Ms Gao Guiqiang, Director General of Board of Health of Chongwen District of Beijing, Mr Liu Yongzheng, principal of Beijing 21st Century Experimental School, MrZhang Jianguo, Director General of Jing Hai Group, and Mr Shi Lunin, Director General of Zhongrunda Group.

　　Mr Lee addressed that living in the same cultural circle, the youth between two countries should exchange constantly to improve the mutual understanding and co-development of the youth between two countries.

　　Mr Yang pointed out it is an excellent example of cultural exchange in the worldthat Chinese and Korean peoples have learned from each other for thousands of years, something that both parties should inherit and carry forward. The signing ofthe agreement demonstrated the advancement on cultural exchange made by the Journal of China Profiles and the Council of Youth Organization of Pusan. Starting from concrete cultural projects, taking the lead by the youth, both parties can learn from others' cultural extract and achieve co-development; both parties have the opportunity and the obligation to make key contributions to the cause of globalpeace.

　　This summer, 80 to 90 Chinese teachers and students will visit Pusan and stay with local residents there. The Childrens' Arts Troupe of China also will pay a visit to South Korea. As a youth organization, composed of 26 associations, the Council of Youth Organization of Pusan will work together with China Profiles to advance the exchanges of the youth between our two countries.