A group of journalists from over 30 media outlets conducted interviews on trade between South Korea and East China's Shandong province on Monday.

The journalists were invited to conduct interviews as part of the activities marking the signing of the free trade agreement (FTA) between China and South Korea.

From Monday to Thursday, the reporters scheduled interviews with companies and free trade port zones in Jinan, Qingdao, Weihai and Yantai to assess the trade situation between South Korea and Shandong following the signing of the FTA on June 1.

Sun Jianbo, deputy director general of the Shandong's Commerce Department, said the FTA between China and South Korea signified a new age of bilateral cooperation and it would be the growth engine that will drive Shandong's economic development.

"Since the negotiation of the FTA, Shandong had been promoting regional cooperation with cities in South Korea. Weihai and Inchon have been included into the FTA as a demonstration zone for regional cooperation. The two cities will try new ways to expand cooperation in a wide range of fields including investment and services. For example, a special industrial park is currently under construction to facilitate trade and investment between Shandong and South Korea," said Sun.

South Korea is Shandong's second largest source of foreign capital. To date, around 5,000 South Korean-invested companies operate in Shandong and more than 100,000 South Koreans live in the province.

Journalists conduct interviews at the Jinan Free Trade Zone. /Photo by Dong Lina.