Jilin provincial officials received a South Korean delegation led by Choi Moon-soon, the governor of Gangwon province, on March 31, in the city of Changchun, to discuss cooperation between the two provinces.

Bayinchaolu, Jilin Party secretary, on hand to describe Jilin's socio-economic situation and future plans and emphasized Jilin’s role in China's Belt and Road Initiative and remarked, "The new development plan brings more opening-up to northeastern China, especially in economic relations with neighboring countries."

Jilin Party secretary Bayinchaolu, (middle) talking with ROK guests, in Changchun, on March 31. [Photo by Song Kai/chinajilin.com.cn]

He went on to encourage the guests to take an active part in regional approaches such as the China-Northeast Asia Expo to increase economic cooperation and called for the two provinces to work hand-in-hand on infrastructure.

Bayinchaolu said, "We need to speed up the work between Jilin’s Hunchun, Russia's Far East and South Korea's Gangwon in transport and restart flights from Changchun to Yangyang."

Choi responded by expressing an interest in the plan for revitalizing the province's industry and said he is looking for business cooperation in environmental protection and the health industry.

Jilin province and South Korea's Gangwon province have already established relations since 1994. Jilin's governor, Jiang Chaoliang, also took part in the meeting.