Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to South Korea on July 3-4, which is designed to boost bilateral ties and address the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula.

China's foreign ministry spokesperson Qin Gang unveiled the arrangement of the visit on Friday, saying "It is of great significance as leaders of the two countries will further outline and promote bilateral cooperation."

While stressing that the summit talks between Xi and South Korean President Park Geun-hye, the fifth such meeting, will help upgrade bilateral ties, South Korean presidential spokesperson Min Kyung-wook said Friday they will also focus on how to deal with North Korea's nuclear weapons program, reported the Yonhap News Agency.

It will be the first time that a Chinese president has visited South Korea before visiting North Korea.

In June 2013, Park paid a state visit to China and has since forged close ties with the Chinese leader. However, there has been no summit between China and North Korea since the North's current leader Kim Jong-un came into power in December 2011.

Addressing a question over Xi's choice to visit Seoul first, Qin told a regular press conference that, "As a close neighbor of the Korean Peninsula, China has an objective and fair stance, is committed to peninsular peace and stability, and supports improvements in ties between the South and the North."

"China maintains good relations with both North Korea and South Korea, and is willing to work with both sides to advance ties," Qin said. "It is in the interests of the three countries and contributes to regional peace, stability and prosperity."