China eyes free trade deal with South Korea

Beijing, April 15 (IANS) China will push for a bilateral free trade agreement with South Korea when both sides meet at an investment forum in Seoul April 17-18.

A Chinese delegation, headed by China's former deputy commerce minister Wei Jianguo, was due to arrive Sunday. Talks on investments, real estate and energy were on the cards.

Wei said both countries want to see a free trade deal in the first half of this year. "We expect to enhance Chinese investment in South Korea."

The 80-memebr Chinese delegation to China-South Korea investment cooperation forum includes former vice-premier Zeng Peiyan and well-known economist Wu Jinglian.

The forum will be attended by the representatives of over 600 South Korean companies, led by Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, China Daily reported Saturday.

China has invested $3 billion in South Korea last year, mainly in tourism and entertainment, according to South Korean statistics, while South Korea invested $36 billion in China in 2011.