The Korea-China Private Economic Cooperation Forum Gwangju-Jeonnam Emphasizes "Role as a Bridge for Exchange" at Inaugural Ceremony

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jin-Hyung Park] The Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Korea-China Private Economic Cooperation Forum recently held its inaugural ceremony at the Ramada Hotel in Gwangju, the organization announced on the 27th.

The ceremony proceeded with the inauguration speech by Jo In-cheol, chairman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Korea-China Private Economic Cooperation Forum and former Deputy Mayor for Culture and Economy of Gwangju Metropolitan City, followed by congratulatory speeches from Ji Young-mo, chairman of the Korea-China Private Economic Cooperation Forum, and Zhang Chenggang, Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in Gwangju.

About 60 heads of institutions and private economic organizations attended, including Baek In-gi, head of KOTRA Gwangju-Jeonnam, Kim Jin-cheol, head of the Gwangju Free Economic Zone Authority, Jeong Kwang-young, Gwangju Investment Attraction Cooperation Officer, Lee Mi-jin, president of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association Gwangju-Jeonnam branch, Kim Myung-sul, chairman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Venture Business Association, and Oh Si-chang, secretary general of the Korea-China Private Economic Cooperation Forum.

In his congratulatory speech, Ji Young-mo, chairman of the Korea-China Private Economic Cooperation Forum, emphasized, “Our forum is promoting the establishment of branches in Gwangju Metropolitan City, Busan Metropolitan City, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, where Chinese consulates are located. We are very pleased to establish the first branch in Gwangju Metropolitan City. We will faithfully serve as a bridgehead to create mutual benefits through joint investments between excellent Chinese companies and outstanding companies in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions.”

The Korea-China Private Economic Cooperation Forum was founded on August 17, 2013, at the Kaiqing Hotel in Baishuiyang, Fujian Province, China. Since holding the first Korea-China Economic Forum at Beijing’s Zhaoyedai in 2015, many businesspeople have traveled between Korea and China annually, faithfully serving as a bridge for private enterprise exchanges.

Notably, on the 17th, a meeting was held during the visit of Li Zhanshu, the third-ranking member of the Chinese Communist Party Standing Committee. They requested strong support for the 8th Korea-China Economic Cooperation Forum to be held in Seoul on November 22. This forum plans to discuss and collaborate on programs under the theme of ‘Joint Entry into Third Countries with the Netherlands, Israel, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, and others.’

In his inauguration speech, Jo In-cheol, chairman of the Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Korea-China Private Economic Cooperation Forum, congratulated the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations and stated that the forum aims to contribute to the friendship and mutual prosperity of Koreans worldwide and Chinese people through exchanges in private business sectors such as economy, society, culture, education, sports, healthcare, and science and technology, centered on businesspeople and experts from various fields forming private networks.

Additionally, on the 28th, at the Chinese National Day celebration, Jo In-cheol, chairman of the Korea-China Private Economic Cooperation Forum Gwangju-Jeonnam branch, is scheduled to deliver a congratulatory message as a representative of domestic Korea-China friendship organizations.