Chinese provincial gov't officials in Korea amid push for improvement in bilateral ties
First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun, right, shakes hands with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Ma Zhaoxu in Jongno District, Seoul, July 24. Newsis
A Chinese delegation of mid-level provincial government officials is visiting Korea this week as part of efforts to boost cooperation and exchanges between the two neighboring countries, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday.
The delegation, made up of foreign affairs officials representing 16 provincial governments, including the Shandong, Sichuan, Guangdong, Liaoning and Jiangsu provinces, will begin a five-day visit to Seoul and other regions Monday, the ministry said in a release.
They will hold meetings with Korean government officials to discuss ways to enhance the bilateral partnership and cooperation, and visit the southeastern city of Gyeongju and the southern resort island of Jeju to participate in various exchange programs, it said.
The exchange programs resumed this year after a five-year hiatus following the coronavirus outbreak.
Korea and China are revitalizing diplomatic exchanges at both central and provincial levels, as Seoul is seeking to manage strained relations with Beijing amid its closer ties with the United States under the Yoon Suk Yeol government. (Yonhap)