Moon inspects Hyundai factory in Chongqing

President Moon Jae-in leaves a Beijing Hyundai Motor factory in Chongqing, China, Saturday, during his state visit. Hyundai Motor Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun is on his right. / Yonhap

By Kim Rahn

CHONGQING ― President Moon Jae-in inspected the Beijing Hyundai Motor Chongqing factory, a joint venture of South Korea's Hyundai Motor and China's BAIC Group, Saturday, the last day of his state visit to China.

He encouraged local workers there, and had a meeting with heads of the companies' subcontractors that are also operating there.

Chongqing is China's largest production base of vehicles. The Hyundai factory, which can make 300,000 vehicles a year, began producing the all new Reina, a subcompact car, in August.

Of about 850 workers at the factory, 835 are Chinese. While looking around the production line with Hyundai Motor Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun, Moon talked with about 10 workers.

“South Korea and China are trying their best to make cars that will satisfy Chinese customers,” one worker told Moon, who replied, “I hope you conquer the Chinese auto market.”

The President appreciated the South Korean subcontractors' efforts to pioneer the western Chinese market. "The government will provide support so Chongqing can be a new land of opportunities for Korea's auto industry," he said.

BAIC Group Chairman Xu Heyi said the joint venture had five factories in three regions in China. “Beijing Hyundai Motor will further improve, along with BAIC and Hyundai Motor's global strategies and brand competitiveness,” he said.