From October 20 to 24, 2024, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), led a delegation to attend the 25th China-Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Friendship Cities Exchange Conference and visited Busan and Gwangju metropolises, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province in the ROK. He had in-depth exchanges with people from all sectors of society in the ROK and had an in-depth exchange of views on China-ROK friendship and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, and reached a broad positive consensus.
During the visit, Yang met with Park Heong-joon, Chair of the Governors Association of the ROK (GAROK) and Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, Kang Ki-jung, Mayor of Gwangju, Shin Soo-jung, Chairman of the Gwangju City Council, Go Gwang-wan, Executive Deputy Mayor of Gwangju, Kim Byung-nae, Head of the Nam District of Gwangju, and Oh Young-hoon, Governor of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, among other Korean local government leaders.
During the meeting, Yang Wanming emphasized that China and the ROK are inseparable neighbors and cooperative partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992, friendship and cooperation have remained the cornerstone of China-ROK relations. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-ROK relations have experienced rapid growth, with fruitful economic and trade cooperation bringing tangible benefits to both peoples. Yang noted that, since the beginning of 2024, exchanges and cooperation between China and the ROK across various domains have become more active, signaling a positive momentum in bilateral relations. He called for enhanced communication and dialogue to deepen political mutual trust and further solidify China and the ROK as friendly neighbors of mutual trust and partners of common achievements. Yang also emphasized the importance of fostering healthy, steady, and substantial development of China-ROK relations. The foundation of China-ROK relations lies in our societies, and its vitality stems from subnational exchanges. Subnational cooperation serves as a critical channel and effective platform for advancing state-to-state relations. It is anticipated that the ROK and China will work closely together to actively support and participate in bilateral and multilateral exchange mechanisms such as the China-ROK Governors' Meeting and the China-Japan-ROK Friendship Cities Exchange Conference, with the goal of accelerating regional integration.
Park Heong-joon highlighted Busan's active engagement in city diplomacy and expressed hope for early discussions with China on holding the 3rd ROK-China Governors' Meeting. He emphasized the importance of strengthening practical cooperation between enterprises in both countries to drive mutual benefit. Kang Ki-jung underscored Gwangju's commitment to maintaining close exchanges with China. He noted that, particularly in times of bilateral challenges, communication between local governments and fostering people-to-people friendship are of even greater importance. Oh Young-hoon spoke of Jeju's enduring popularity among Chinese tourists. To further enhance this connection, he promptly introduced a visa-free policy for Chinese visitors. He expressed his determination to deepen exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with China and welcomed more Chinese tourists to Jeju, aiming to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.
President Yang also met with Seo Eui-taek, Honorary President of the Korea-China Friendship Association (KCFA); Shin Jung-taek, President of the KCFA; Moon Byung-chae, President of the ROK-China Friendly Association of Businessman; Yang Seung-hak, President of the Korea Industry-Academia Cooperation Research Institute; Lee Jong-kook, Executive Vice-President of the Korea Foundation; Lee Kang-hyun, President of the National Asian Culture Center; Cho Gyeong-wan, Head of the Gwangju China Friendship Center; Kim Eel-hwan, President of Jeju National University; Ahn Sang-luk, President of the Gwangju Branch of the Korea-China Cultural Association; Lee Kyung-bu, President of the Gwangju Branch of the Korea-China Economic, Cultural and Educational Association and Vice President of Gwangnam Daily Newspaper; Kang Won-koo, Central President of the Korea-China Cultural Exchange Association and recipient of the title of Honorary Citizenship of Nanchang City, and other leaders of friendly organizations. He visited the National Asian Culture Center, the Chung Yul-song Memorial Block, the Gwangju China Friendship Center, the Confucius Institute at Honam University in Gwangju, and the Jeju National University. Yang also held talks and exchanges with teachers and students at the Confucius Institute and representatives of Chinese and Korean youth. He encouraged the younger generations and members of these organizations to contribute actively to the development of China-ROK friendly relations and the promotion of people-to-people friendship.
Yang Wanming reiterated that people-to-people friendship is the key to fostering state-to-state relations. It serves as both the foundation and the source of strength for the enduring relationship between China and the ROK. Making the 70th anniversary of the CPAFFC, Yang noted that the CPAFFC is ready to use this milestone as a new starting point to promote friendly exchanges and practical cooperation in the fields of culture, art, media, and youth. These efforts aim to ensure the steady and sustainable growth of China-ROK relations.
The friendship organizations in the ROK highly appreciated China's tremendous achievements in economic and social development and expressed their willingness to strengthen communication with the CPAFFC, work together to deepen practical cooperation in all fields, expand sister city and subnational cooperation, facilitate people-to-people exchanges, especially youth exchanges, and participate more actively in bilateral or multilateral exchange mechanisms, so as to jointly make positive contributions to the peace, development and prosperity of Northeast Asia.
Chen Ribiao, Consul General of China in Busan, Chen Jianjun, Consul General of China in Jeju, and Zhou Jihua, Acting Consul General of China in Gwangju, attended the above events.
