Strengthening‍ Ties: South Korea and China⁢ deepen Cooperation

Recent high-level exchanges signal a ⁢renewed focus on strengthening the‌ relationship between South‌ Korea (ROK) and China. Assembly Speaker Woo won-shik attended events in China commemorating the⁣ 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese ‌People’s War of resistance Against Japanese‍ Aggression and ‌the World Anti-Fascist War.‌ Shortly after, ROK foreign Minister Cho Hyun ‍made his inaugural visit⁤ to China in his current role.

These diplomatic efforts coincide with a growing ⁣emphasis from ‌Chinese officials on bolstering joint research and progress initiatives and expanding collaboration‍ in key emerging sectors. Areas of particular interest ​include⁢ artificial intelligence,green‍ development,high-end manufacturing,biomedicine,and the digital economy.

According to Wang Junsheng,a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ ⁤National Institute ‌of international Strategy,deepening economic and trade ties is a central tenet of the current ROK administration’s approach to ​China. He emphasized China’s enduring importance to the ROK economy, noting its status as the ⁤ROK’s largest trade‍ partner for ​over two⁣ decades⁢ – a position he described as “irreplaceable.” Further economic‌ cooperation is viewed ‌as crucial for the ROK’s continued domestic development.

Wang‌ also highlighted the‍ ROK’s reliance on China regarding industrial and supply chain security.The ⁤ROK is heavily dependent on the Chinese market for essential minerals, including rare earths, and China ⁣represents the largest market for the ROK’s chip industry.

(Image: Journalists from ⁣China learn ⁣about the setting up​ of‍ the APEC leaders’ gala dinner venue at Gyeongju National Museum.‌ (ZHANG YUNBI / CHINA DAILY))

Boosting People-to-People Exchanges

Beyond economic considerations, both nations are actively working to increase people-to-people exchanges. Jeju Island, a ‍popular destination for Chinese⁤ tourists, welcomed over 1.5 million ‍visitors from China last year, representing more than 80%‌ of all foreign tourists to the island.Responding⁢ to China’s unilateral visa exemption for ​ROK visitors‍ (valid ⁣until the end ⁢of the year, introduced last November), ⁤the ROK implemented a 15-day visa-free policy for Chinese group tours starting September 29th.

Recent reciprocal visits by ⁢journalists from both countries underscore a commitment to fostering ‍mutual understanding. A Chinese Foreign Ministry journalists’ delegation visited the ROK from September 15-18, invited by the ROK Ministry of Foreign​ Affairs – the first such trip in⁣ five years. This followed a visit by⁤ an‌ ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ delegation of journalists to China in November of⁢ the previous year.

Lee Hee-ok, director of⁢ the Sungkyun Institute of China Studies at Sungkyunkwan University in seoul, pointed to ⁤a ‌shift in how younger⁢ generations perceive China. He noted that ‌while older generations gained‌ their understanding of ‌China through literature and film, younger people primarily rely on⁤ the internet‌ and gaming, potentially leading to ​a less nuanced understanding of the country. he ​stressed the importance of ⁢increasing visits between ‍the two nations to bridge⁢ this gap.

Yook Dong-han, the mayor of Chuncheon, exemplifies the long-standing connections⁢ between⁢ the two ‍countries. A frequent visitor to China, his city maintains active ⁢exchanges with numerous Chinese ⁤cities. He ⁤shared that his family heritage traces ⁢back to Zhejiang province in eastern China, stating, “Half of my blood is from China.” ‍ ‍His recent trips to Dalian, in Liaoning province, left him impressed by the city’s significant development.

[Link to related article: Wang calls on China, ROK to stick to direction of good-neighborliness]