President Park Geun-hye will stop by Xian, a cultural, industrial and educational center of China’s central-northwest, as part of her four-day state visit to China next week, Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday.

Park will hold a summit with President Xi Jinping next Thursday to discuss North Korea, economic cooperation and other bilateral issues.

Then she will travel to the ancient city in Shaanxi Province Saturday, the presidential office said.

“This ancient city with more than 3,000 years of history is a key node for the development of China’s central region and one of the country’s three major educational cities. Thus, it encompasses China’s past, current and the future,” her spokesperson Kim Haing told reporters.

“Many South Korean businesses have advanced and will advance into it, and this could be a crucial spot for our firms to move into Central Asia and Europe. Thus, the city has great potential for helping boost future cooperation between Korea and China.”

It is the first time for a South Korean head of state to visit Xian. The provincial cities former presidents have visited are Shanghai, Chengdu and Qingdao.

During her stay in Xian, she will meet South Korean businesspeople operating there and South Korean residents, visit some historical attractions, and return home on Sunday, the presidential office said.

Samsung Electronics is currently constructing a semiconductor factory with its largest investment ever in China.

The spokesperson said the decision to visit Xian rather than the most frequently visited city, Shanghai, was made as her office took into account the need to diversify presidential visits in the country.

“We considered the need to diversify the areas. President Park will meet high-level Xian officials and discuss ways to bolster cooperation with the city,” Kim said. “We expect her visit to the city will contribute to expanding bilateral economic cooperation and cultural exchanges, and deepen the two countries’ strategic partnership.”

Meanwhile, attention is being drawn to what will be on the agenda for the upcoming summit between Park and Xi.

Seoul officials said North Korea’s nuclear issue along with forging the mood for dialogue with Pyongyang would top the agenda. They also anticipate that in the summit agreement there will be a mention of the countries’ efforts for peninsular denuclearization.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)