China's top envoy to Seoul on Thursday hailed the progress in bilateral ties, citing close cooperation in politics, the economy and people-to-people exchanges.
  

Amb. Qiu Guohong said the two countries have entered into an era of "three highs" marked by political trust, economic cooperation and cultural exchange.
  

"Looking back on the development of China-South Korea relations this year, there truly was a lot of success," he said in his congratulatory remarks at a forum held among state-run research institutions of the two countries.
  

Political ties were strengthened through a series of high-level visits between the sides, including President Park Geun-hye's attendance at a World War II anniversary event in Beijing and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Seoul for trilateral summit talks also involving Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Qiu said.
  

The ratification of the South Korea-China free trade agreement by South Korea's National Assembly is expected to provide new momentum to the two countries' growth and improve bilateral trade in terms of both quality and volume, he added.
  

On cultural exchanges, the ambassador said the people of the two countries have developed positive feelings toward each other as South Korea and China take turns hosting the "Year of Visiting China" and the "Year of Visiting South Korea."
  

"I am certain that we will achieve the great goal of joint development, regional prosperity, Asian revival and partners in global prosperity," he said.
  

The forum, now in its third year, was launched under a joint statement adopted during Park's visit to China in June 2013. This year, it brought together 15 state research institutions from both sides. (Yonhap)