On July 23, 2025, President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Yoo Jeong-bok, President of the Governors Association of the Republic of Korea and Mayor of Incheon (GAROK), at the CPAFFC. The two sides held in-depth discussions and reached positive consensus on a series of issues of mutual interest, including China-ROK relations, subnational exchanges, and practical cooperation.
President Yang commended the Governors Association of Korea and the Incheon Metropolitan Government for their active contributions to promoting practical cooperation between subnational governments of China and the Republic of Korea (ROK), and for deepening the friendship between the two peoples. China and the ROK are important neighbors and partners. Further deepening bilateral exchanges and cooperation is in the shared interests of two countries and their peoples.
Following the inauguration of the new ROK administration, President Xi Jinping and President Lee Jae-myung held a telephone conversation and reached a significant consensus on elevating the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level. This has charted a clear course for the long-term development of bilateral relations and multi-sectoral cooperation. The CPAFFC stands ready to work with the ROK side to implement the important understandings reached by the two leaders, fully leverage the strengths of subnational governments and friendship city partnerships, build a robust platform for practical cooperation, and ensure the successful convening of the Third China-ROK Governors' Forum, thus contributing actively to the steady growth of China-ROK relations.
Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok highly praised the role that exchanges between subnational governments play in the broader bilateral relationship. ROK subnational governments have consistently attached great importance to developing relations with China. The successfully holding of the Third ROK-China Governors' Forum carries great significance. The ROK sides will work closely with the CPAFFC to use the forum as an opportunity to strengthen friendly exchanges and practical collaboration between subnational governments, thereby contributing to closer bilateral ties and enhanced friendship between the two peoples.
The two sides also held consultations on matters related to the organization of the Third China-ROK Governors' Forum.
