Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Lee Hae-chan, former prime minister of South Korea, in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 26, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang)

SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work together with South Korea to further expand all-round exchanges and cooperation and push the bilateral relations to a higher level, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Thursday.

Wang, who arrived in South Korea on Wednesday for a visit, made the remarks at a meeting with former Prime Minister of South Korea Lee Hae-chan.

Wang expressed gratitude to the South Korean government and people for extending a helping hand when China was at the critical stage of combating COVID-19.

Both countries fought hand in hand against the epidemic and took the lead in establishing the "fast-track" entry for necessary personnel exchanges and in carrying out cooperation in the resumption of work and production, becoming a role model of international anti-epidemic cooperation, Wang said.

Facts have proved that China and South Korea are not only friendly neighbors, but also close cooperation partners, he added.

Lee, for his part, said that all circles of South Korea attach great importance to the bilateral relations, have confidence in China's development and the prospect of bilateral cooperation, and are committed to pushing for continued progress of the bilateral relations so as to bring more benefits to the people of both countries.

Both sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of common concern.