1.        On Thursday, October 30, 2003, Minister Yoon Young-Kwan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
of the Republic of Korea (MOFAT) and Minister Li Chang Jiang of the General Administration of Quality 
Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (AQSIQ) signed the 
“Memorandum Establishing a Consultation Mechanism for Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine 
between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea and the General Administration of 
Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China.”


2.        The Memorandum follows President Roh Moo-hyun’s official visit to China last July where the two 
countries agreed to establish a consultation mechanism for quality supervision, inspection, and quarantine 
between Korea and China.  The Memorandum focuses on the establishment of a general guideline for 
cooperation concerning quality supervision, inspection, and quarantine between the two countries, related 
policies, and on other issues for discussion at the vice-minister level or higher.


3.        The geographical proximity of Korea and China has led to increased bilateral trade in agricultural, 
marine, and livestock products.  As such, the Memorandum Establishing a Consultation Mechanism will 
assist in preventing trade conflicts beforehand as well as boosting mutual understanding and cooperation 
between Korea and China.

                                                                    Spokesperson of MOFAT

* unofficial translation