Gyeongbuk Province Establishes Sisterhood Ties with Ningxia, China for Friendly Exchange

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Dong-guk] Gyeongsangbuk-do signed a sisterhood agreement with Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (寧夏回族自治區), China, via video conference on the 20th.

Gyeongbuk Province and Ningxia, China, are signing a sisterhood agreement via video conference on the 20th. Photo by Gyeongbuk Province

According to the agreement between Gyeongsangbuk-do and Ningxia, the two regions will engage in broad exchange and cooperation by sharing information in various fields such as human exchange, economy, education, youth exchange, and science and technology.

Gyeongsangbuk-do is the only Korean-friendly city in Ningxia, and the two regions have actively maintained exchanges since a friendly visit in 1996 and the signing of a friendship exchange agreement in 2004.

In particular, youth exchanges have been active, with 183 students from Gyeongsangbuk-do participating in the international youth camp held annually in Ningxia since 2002.

Also, since 2016, 35 Ningxia students have participated in the global youth cultural camp hosted by Gyeongsangbuk-do, strengthening their friendship.

To celebrate the sisterhood, the two regions agreed to jointly hold an exchange photo exhibition. In July, Gyeongsangbuk-do exhibited about 70 photos and videos related to Ningxia and their exchanges at the exhibition hall on the first floor of the provincial office, and from the 20th, Ningxia is exhibiting about 80 photos and videos capturing the scenery and culture of Gyeongsangbuk-do at the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Museum.

Located in northwest China, Ningxia is the only Hui autonomous region in China, with 35% of its 7.2 million population being Hui people.

Over the past five years, Ningxia's average GDP growth rate has been 7.5%, leading China, and it has the advantage of being designated as an inland open economic pilot zone, with fewer restrictions on foreign investment and capital circulation.

Currently, Hyosung TNC, the world's leading spandex company, is investing a total of 2.068 trillion KRW in Ningxia through a five-phase project to establish a spandex production base.

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, said, “It is very meaningful that Gyeongsangbuk-do and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region signed a sisterhood agreement on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations next year. Taking this sisterhood as an opportunity, Gyeongsangbuk-do and Ningxia will open a future of mutual growth between local governments.” He added, “I hope more Ningxia citizens will visit our region using the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integrated New Airport.”