More than 10 million journeys undertaken by tourists from China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to each other’s country in the past year are seen as a breakthrough, Premier Li Keqiang said in Seoul on Nov 1.

Premier Li made the remark at the closing ceremony of the Year of China Tourism in the ROK.

He said tourism between the two countries helps promote mutual communication and boosts both economies by spending in each other’s country.

China will introduce Samgyetang (chicken ginseng soup made in traditional Korean style), and create advantages to import Kimchee from ROK as Chinese also enjoy Korean delicacies, said the Premier.

He said visiting the ROK is like dropping in on a neighbor, and hoped more Korean tourists would travel to China.

China and the ROK will keep their own national characteristics but strengthen mutual communications, he said.