Mayor Kim Wongi Marks 30 Years of Sister-City Ties with China's Dandong, Expands Exchanges in Economy, Sports and Culture

Uijeongbu City marks 30 years of sister-city ties with China's Dandong
More than 60 civil servants have participated in exchange training over more than 20 years
Plans practical exchange projects residents can experience firsthand
Receives letter of intent to establish operations in economic free zone from local biotech company

Uijeongbu City, Gyeonggi Province, is expanding exchanges with Dandong, Liaoning Province, China, in the fields of economic development, sports and culture as the two cities mark the 30th anniversary of their sister-city relationship. The city has also received a letter of intent to establish operations in the free economic zone it is seeking to have designated from a Dandong-based biotechnology company.

Uijeongbu Mayor Kim Wonki poses for a commemorative photo after signing an MOU to strengthen cooperation with Dandong Mayor Zhang Dan in Dandong, China, on the 11th. Provided by Uijeongbu City.

Uijeongbu City Mayor Kim Wongi said on November 12 that the city signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dandong to strengthen exchange and cooperation on November 11.

A delegation of 19 people, including Uijeongbu Mayor Kim Wongi and Uijeongbu City Council Chair Jo Seil, is visiting Dandong from November 10 to 13 on a four-day, three-night trip.

Dandong, which borders North Korea, is a major hub for exchanges between North Korea and China. Uijeongbu and Dandong have operated a civil servant exchange training program for more than 20 years. More than 60 civil servants from the two cities have participated, sharing administrative systems and policy practices. At a meeting between the mayors held after a ceremony on November 11, the two sides agreed to identify cooperative projects involving residents, civic groups and businesses.

The Uijeongbu delegation visited the local company Xinshi Dai Bio-Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., which produces toothpaste, cosmetics, and disease prevention and hygiene products. After touring its production facilities and discussing industrial cooperation, the delegation received a letter of intent from the company to establish operations in the planned zone.

During their visit, the delegation is also scheduled to visit Dandong Sports School to learn about its training conditions and athlete development system. The two sides will discuss exchanges between youth teams and the possibility of holding friendly matches.

Mayor Kim said, "Dandong is a major Chinese hub for exchanges with North Korea and holds an important position in matters concerning the situation on the Korean Peninsula and relations between North Korea and China. Maintaining friendly relations with Dandong for 30 years and building a foundation for human resources and mutual cooperation through exchange training programs involving more than 60 civil servants are very meaningful achievements."

Uijeongbu Mayor Kim Wonki poses for a commemorative photo after signing an MOU to strengthen exchange and cooperation with Dandong Mayor Zhang Dan in Dandong, China, on the 11th. Provided by Uijeongbu City.

He added, "We will make the 30th anniversary of our sister-city relationship a new starting point and, building on the trust and personal networks we have developed, expand practical exchanges and cooperation that residents can experience firsthand in a range of fields, including not only public administration but also economic development, sports and culture."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.