On the afternoon of November 28, Zhang Mingkang, Deputy Party Secretary and Mayor of Yancheng, met with Kim Young-joon, South Korean Consul General in Shanghai, along with representatives from the China Office of the Governors Association of Korea and a delegation from Yancheng’s South Korean sister cities. 

Zhang extended a warm welcome to the delegation and provided an overview of Yancheng’s economic and social development. He noted that Yancheng, as a cradle of China’s maritime salt culture, boasts convenient transportation, advanced industries, and abundant energy resources. With dual accolades as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and an International Wetland City, Yancheng is accelerating its efforts to become a hub of high-level global openness. 

Highlighting the deep historical and geographical ties between Yancheng and South Korea, Zhang pointed out that South Korea is Yancheng’s largest source of foreign investment and trade partner. He emphasized Yancheng’s status as one of the most active cities in China-South Korea cooperation, home to the densest concentration of South Korean enterprises in China and offering among the best investment returns. The establishment of the China-Korea (Yancheng) Industrial Park, approved by China’s State Council, has further solidified this partnership, attracting nearly 1,000 South Korean enterprises to settle and thrive in Yancheng. 

Looking ahead, Zhang expressed Yancheng’s readiness to work closely with various sectors of South Korean society. He emphasized leveraging sister city relationships to strengthen inter-city ties, promote people-to-people exchanges, and explore new avenues for cooperation. He called for breakthroughs in industrial collaboration and envisioned a future of deeper friendship and mutually beneficial partnerships. 

Kim Young-joon praised Yancheng’s rich cultural heritage, beautiful ecological environment, unique resources, and robust industrial foundation. He acknowledged Yancheng’s pivotal role in fostering friendly relations and cooperation between South Korea and China. Kim assured that the consulate would act as a bridge, facilitating further collaboration between South Korea and Yancheng in trade, culture, and tourism. He expressed hope for more pragmatic achievements to advance mutual prosperity. 

Deputy Mayor Tang Jing and Secretary General of the Municipal Government Xu Ningjian also attended the meeting.