Chilgok County and Jiaozuo City Strengthen Exchange and Cooperation on 10th Anniversary of Sister-City Relationship

Steadfast Cooperation Like "Yugong Moving Mountains"

Chilgok County in North Gyeongsang Province and Jiaozuo City in Henan Province, China-known as the city of "Yugong Yishan" (the Foolish Old Man Removes the Mountains)-have agreed to further strengthen their exchanges and cooperation on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of their sister-city relationship.

The Chilgok County delegation, led by Governor Kim Jaewook and including Council Chairman Lee Sangseung, Assemblyman Oh Jongyeol, and a total of 10 members, visited Jiaozuo City from October 30 to November 2 for a four-day, three-night trip.

Kim Jaewook, Chilgok County Governor (left), is having a cordial talk with the Party Secretary of Seoui County, Jiyuan City, Henan Province, China (right). / Provided by Chilgok County Office

Through a variety of events-including a commemorative ceremony, agreement signing, tree-planting ceremony, friendly table tennis match, and cultural exchange-the two cities broadened the scope of their cooperation.

This visit served as an opportunity to elevate the decade-long exchange since the 2015 sister-city agreement to a new level and to expand the horizon of cooperation across industry and culture.

The official schedule began on October 31 with a meeting between Xu Yixian, Party Secretary of Jiaozuo City, and the Chilgok delegation in the conference room of the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in Jiaozuo.

Party Secretary Xu remarked, "It is meaningful to meet again on the 10th anniversary of our sister-city relationship. Jiaozuo is a city that inherits the spirit of Yugong Yishan, and our cooperation with Chilgok is a way to put that spirit into practice."

Governor Kim Jaewook responded, "I hope the bond between our two cities will last not just 10 years, but 100 years. Let us work together to create a practical model of cooperation between local governments."

Following this, a "10th Anniversary Sister-City Agreement Ceremony" was held at the same venue.

With Jiaozuo Mayor Qin Baojian, Vice Mayor Zhao Huisheng, and other city officials in attendance, the two cities exchanged agreements and pledged to expand substantive exchanges across education, culture, economy, and industry.

The highlight of the ceremony was the planting of a ginkgo tree, symbolizing both cities.

Jiaozuo is famous for its 2,500-year-old ginkgo tree, and Chilgok also regards the ginkgo as the county’s symbolic tree.

The two cities jointly planted a ginkgo tree in Friendship Park (Mudan Park), pledging a "friendship that transcends time."

After the agreement ceremony, a friendly table tennis match was held at the Jiaozuo City Hall gymnasium.

Governor Kim and Chairman Lee Sangseung formed one team, while Mayor Qin Baojian and Vice Mayor Zhao Huisheng formed the other. Cheers erupted with every drive across the court, and hearts were exchanged along with the ball amid a mix of Korean and Chinese cheers.

Chairman Lee Sangseung commented, "What was exchanged beyond the racket was not just a ball, but trust. I hope this rally of friendship will continue for years to come."

The delegation also visited a non-ferrous metal smelting company, ranked among China’s top 300 enterprises, and discussed ways to expand cooperation and exchanges in manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.

Governor Kim stated, "From industry to culture, I hope the exchanges between our two cities will become engines for each other's development. I look forward to this visit deepening and broadening exchanges in the economy, culture, and between our people."