From November 20 to 23, the 18th Local Government Exchange Seminar between China and the Republic of Korea (the ROK), co-organized by the Zhejiang Foreign Affairs Office, the Governors Association of Korea, and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in China, with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs Management under the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, convened in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The event drew over 200 participants, including representatives of the local governments and foreign affairs offices from 28 Chinese provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and 76 cities (counties, districts), as well as provincial and municipal government representatives from the ROK.

Fan Huafeng, Deputy Director-General of the Ningxia Foreign Affairs Office, attended the seminar and delivered a keynote speech titled “Fostering Bilateral Relations Through High-Quality Local Cooperation.” He highlighted the industrial resources and competitive edges of Ningxia, with details given on its engagement with the local governments of the ROK, and suggested ways to deepen cooperation between Ningxia and it counterparts in the ROK.

Ningxia and Gyeongsangbuk-do started their friendly exchange in September 2004 and formally established an international friendship city relationship on October 20, 2021. Over the past two decades, the two sides have bolstered mutual understanding and trust, with frequent high-level governmental interactions made. Their collaboration spans various domains of social and economic development, fostering a comprehensive and tiered partnership in areas including trade, culture, education, healthcare, environmental protection, sports, and youth initiatives. In 2021, the investment by Hyosung Group in a 360,000-tonne spandex production facility and related raw material project in the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base marked the largest foreign investment in Ningxia.

In 2022, both countries organized a suite of events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-ROK diplomatic relations, taking their friendly ties to new heights. The themed youth exchange program for environmental protection with participation from both Ningxia and the ROK was recognized by the ministries of foreign affairs of both countries and was included in The 2021 and 2022 China-ROK Year of Cultural Exchanges Project List. Building on this amicable foundation, Yinchuan City has established an international friendship city relationship with Gyeongsan City of Gyeongsangbuk-do and initiated friendly exchange with Gumi City. On November 19, at the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 held in Kunming, Yunnan Province, Gyeongsangbuk-do received the Friendship City Award for Outstanding Partnership with China, while Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was honored with the International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution.

Going forward, the Ningxia Foreign Affairs Office will further encourage friendly exchanges with local governments of the ROK, seek to broaden practical cooperation, and focus on bringing the two peoples closer. Through dedicated local engagement, it is committed to underpinning the stable progression of China-ROK bilateral relations.