The China (Guangxi)-South Korea Friendly Exchange Week kicks off in Nanning on July 8. [Photo/gx.chinanews.com]

The opening ceremony of the China (Guangxi)-South Korea Friendly Exchange Week was held in Nanning on July 8, setting up a platform for future cooperation between China and South Korea, as well as further promoting exchanges and cooperation in the fields of finance, trade, and humanities.

The China-South Korea Friendly Exchange Week event began in 2003 and was co-sponsored by the South Korean Embassy in China and regional governments of China. The activities will enhance the mutual understanding between the two sides, as well as promote economic and trade cooperation between the two countries through the parallel development of humanities, economy, and trade.

Visitors take photos with mascots in South Korean style customs. [Photo by Song Yao/gxnews.com.cn]

Huang Junhua, vice chairman of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said at the opening ceremony that the exchanges and cooperation between Guangxi and South Korea have been comprehensively deepened in recent years. The two sides have established six pairs of sister cities and sent more than 400 foreign students to each other.

Guangxi has also established trade communication mechanisms with South Korean institutions such as North Chungcheong, Gyeonggi-do, and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency Guangzhou Office. At present, there are about 124 South Korea-funded companies in Guangxi, with contractual foreign investment amounting to $320 million.

Huang expressed hope that the two sides will take the opportunity to enhance mutual support, promote development, as well as strengthen cooperation in a higher level and wider range of fields.

Zhang Xiacheng, ambassador of South Korea in China, also noted that China has become South Korea's largest trading partner and that Guangxi is not only an important gateway for the integration of the Belt and Road, but also the core link between China and ASEAN countries. He believed that the friendly exchange activities will further promote communication between Guangxi and South Korea.

Events such as the South Korea Commodities Fair, China-South Korea Economic Cooperation Forum, and China-South Korean Auto Enterprises Fair will also be hosted during the week.

A Hyundai car is displayed at the South Korea Commodities Fair. [Photo by Song Yao/gxnews.com.cn]