1. The fourth Republic of Korea-China forum on public diplomacy will take place in Yangzhou, China, on November 28 to discuss ways for the two countries to work together on public diplomacy. The event will be co-hosted by the Foreign Ministries of the two countries with the support of the Korea Foundation and the China Public Diplomacy Association.

° The forum themed “increasing exchanges and enhancing mutual trust” will cover cultural inheritance and responsibility; ways for the ROK and China to step up economic and trade cooperation and meet new challenges posed to Asia; and mutually complementary cultural industries and cultural innovation.

2. The event will bring together some 200 people, including Ambassador for Public Diplomacy Cho Hyun-dong and Assistant Foreign Minister Qian Hongshan, President Lee Si-hyung of the Korea Foundation, Vice President Lv Fengding of the China Public Diplomacy Association, relevant experts from the academias, businesses, media outlets and various other sectors of the two countries as well as ordinary citizens.

3. Amid the growing need for closer communication between the ROK and China, the forum will carry great significance in that it will take place in Yangzhou, the home to the Choi Chi-won Memorial Hall, which symbolizes thousand-year-long friendship between the two countries.

4. The forum was established pursuant to the agreement between the ROK and Chinese Presidents at their summit talks in June 2013 to raise understanding and awareness between the peoples of the two countries. Held on an annual basis, the forum is developing into a solid channel for cooperation on public diplomacy.


* unofficial translation