Youth Exchange Program Between South Korea and China Resumes After Five-Year Hiatus
Seoul, August 19, 2024– A delegation of 50 South Korean youth embarked on a five-day visit to Beijing and Qinghai on Monday, marking the resumption of a vital youthexchange program between South Korea and China after a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program, jointly organized by the KoreaFoundation (KF) and the China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, aims to foster understanding and cultural exchange between the two nations’ younger generations.
The delegation’s itinerary includes cultural immersion experiences and visits to relevant institutionsin both Beijing and Qinghai.
South Korea and China have been close neighbors and important partners since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, said Kim Hong-jun, South Korea’s First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, during the delegation’s launch ceremony. The government highly values the relationship between our two countries and will strive to promote healthy and mature development of bilateral relations based on mutual respect, reciprocity, and shared interests.
Kim emphasized the importance of the bilateral relationship extending beyond the bilateral sphere, advocating for close cooperation between thetwo countries to achieve international peace and prosperity.
The program’s resumption was a key outcome of the South Korea-China-Japan Leaders’ Meeting held last May, where South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Chinese Premier Li Qiang agreed to revive the youth exchange program.
The program was suspendedin 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but its absence has been keenly felt by both countries. The exchange program has been a crucial platform for fostering understanding, building relationships, and promoting cultural exchange between the two nations’ youth.
The program’s resumption signifies a positive steptowards strengthening bilateral ties between South Korea and China. It underscores the commitment of both governments to fostering people-to-people exchanges and building a strong foundation for future cooperation.
The exchange program is a testament to the importance of youth engagement in building bridges between nations, said a representative from the Korea Foundation.We are confident that this program will contribute significantly to enhancing understanding and friendship between the youth of South Korea and China.
The program is expected to be a success, with participants eager to experience the diverse cultures and traditions of each other’s countries. The delegation’s visit to Qinghai, a province knownfor its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, is particularly anticipated.
The South Korean delegation’s visit to China is the first step in a renewed commitment to youth exchange. The program is expected to continue in the coming years, with a reciprocal visit by a Chinese youth delegation to South Korea planned for nextyear.
The resumption of the youth exchange program is a positive sign for the future of South Korea-China relations. It demonstrates the commitment of both countries to fostering mutual understanding and cooperation, paving the way for a more prosperous and peaceful future for both nations.
【来源】https://cn.yna.co.kr/view/ACK20240819001600881?section=china-relationship/index&input=rss
Views: 1