Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping was treated to a full red-carpet treatment during his visit to Seoul on Thursday. Xi is officially the sixth most senior official in China, but met with President Lee Myung-bak, National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyong-o, the heads of Korea's four business lobby groups and Prime Minister Chung Un-chan.

It was an exceptional welcome for an official of his status, but befitting his stature as Xi is being groomed as China's next leader. He is widely expected to be appointed to the top position during the 18th Communist Party Congress in 2012. The newly appointed Korean Ambassador to China Yu Woo-ik accompanied Xi throughout his stay.

Visiting Chinese vice president Xi Jinping (left) shakes hands with Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group chairman Chung Mong-koo at a welcome luncheon in Seoul on Thursday. In the center is Cho Suk-rae, chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries.

Xi's visit began with a meeting with Lee at Cheong Wa Dae in the morning. Lee, who was set to depart for the climate summit in Copenhagen, set aside time for breakfast with Xi. "We appreciate the major role China has played in resolving the North Korean nuclear impasse as the chair country of the six-party talks," Lee said. "I think next year will be an important juncture in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue. I hope China will play a bigger role."

Xi said that since China and Korea "have maintained close ties and as the Korean Peninsula is undergoing major changes recently, the two countries should choose an opportune time to discuss ways to further strengthen the relationship."

Xi later met with Prime Minister Chung and was treated to a dinner banquet. When Chung appealed for his help in resolving issues such as the repatriation of South Korean prisoners of war that still languish in North Korea and the human rights abuses experienced North Korean refugees, Xi said, "China is dealing with those issues from a humanitarian standpoint, according to both domestic and international law." The two officials also called for increased cooperation to ensure that issues involving the history of the two countries do not hinder bilateral ties.