On January 26, the 2015 ROK-Guangdong Development Communication Conference was held in Guangzhou. Mr. Zhu Xiaodan, governor of Guangdong, and Mr. Yoon Sang-jick, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, attended the conference and delivered keynote speeches. Before the conference, Mr. Zhu had a meeting with Mr. Yoon Sang-jick and his fellows.

On behalf of Guangdong government, Mr. Zhu expressed congratulation to the holding of the conference and showed welcome to Mr. Yoon Sang-jick and his fellows.

Mr. Zhu said currently the economic development of Guangdong and China has entered the New Normal stage. With continuously tightened relationship between China and ROK as strategic partners, especially with the completion of the substantial negotiation on China-ROK free trade zone agreement and the proposal of the strategy of China for building the 21^st Maritime Silk Road, there must be new historical opportunities for the cooperation between the two countries. Since 2010, four sessions of ROK-Guangdong Development Communication Conference have been held. The conference has become an important platform for promoting the substantial and friendly exchange and communication between Guangdong and South Korean parties in multiple fields. This time, the conference was themed on “impetus for future growth-enhancing cooperation in modern services”. The elites from the economic and business circles of both sides got together to seek for cooperation. Therefore, the conference has extraordinary significance. Mr. Zhu hoped that through the platform both sides will further deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation in business and investment, technological innovation, modern services, energy saving and environmental protection as well as tourism and culture to join the efforts to promote the construction of Huizhou China-ROK Tech-Park, continuously enhance the cooperation between Guangdong and South Korean parties and promote mutual prospect and development.

Guangdong will create a high-quality and law-based business environment meeting international norms for South Korean enterprises to make investment and seek for a better development in Guangdong.

Mr. Yoon Sang-jick said that the 2015 ROK-Guangdong Development Communication Conference was the first major communication activity jointly held by both sides after the completion of the substantial negotiation on China-ROK free trade zone agreement. He fully agreed with the opinions of Mr. Zhu and hoped that the important platform will be taken full advantage to expand the communication and cooperation between both sides. He believed that the conference will provide an opportunity for both sides to further promote the mutually beneficial cooperation.

At the conference, Mr. Zhu and Mr. Yoon Sang-jick witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements and MOUs by related parties of both sides. Mr. Yang Chang Soo, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Guangzhou, attended related activities.

Source: Nanfang Daily, January 27, 2015