Seoul, January 08 (QNA) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday his visit to China this week has cemented a foundation for the full restoration of relations with Beijing.

"The visit laid a solid foundation for the full restoration of Korea-China relations, and paved the way for increased exchanges and cooperation in economic and cultural sectors," he said in remarks after returning from his four-day state visit to China.

Although the visit coincided with a number of important regional and international events, the South Korean president did not address them, simply stating that Seoul would focus on pragmatic diplomacy to safeguard its national interests. He added, however, that "in a harsh international system, there are no permanent enemies, friends, or rules."

The South Korean president concluded a four-day official visit to China, during which he met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, the prime minister, and a number of other officials, in addition to participating in a business forum with senior executives from major corporations. (QNA)