BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are important neighbors, and enhancing people-to-people exchange is in the common interests of both peoples, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Thursday.

Guo made the remarks in response to a media query regarding the ROK government's decision to temporarily allow visa-free entry for tourist groups from China starting from Sept. 29. ■