On May 22, the China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC) and the Korea International Cultural Exchange Center (KICEC) signed a memorandum of cooperation in Beijing. According to the memorandum, the two sides will collaborate in various fields such as education, culture, and sports, with a focus on the green economy, climate change, and environmental protection for public good, as well as environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. They plan to carry out a series of youth exchange activities between China and South Korea through mutual visits, specialized seminars, and project cooperation, aiming to promote cultural exchange and practical cooperation between the youth of both countries.

Liu Aiping, Chairman of the Governing Council of the CIYEC, said that this year China-South Korea relations enter their second 30-year period. Noting that youths are the driving force of people-to-people friendship and crucial witnesses, participants, and guardians of the stable and healthy development of bilateral relations, she said that the CIYEC is willing to work with the KICEC to establish a long-term exchange and cooperation mechanism for youths, thereby laying a solid cultural foundation, promoting mutual understanding, and enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to contribute to the healthy and stable development of China-South Korea relations.

Kim In-kyu, Senior Advisor of the National Council of Youth Organizations in Korea and Honorary Chairman of the KICEC, emphasized the importance of people-to-people diplomacy, noting that youth exchange is a vital component. He expressed hope that the signing of this memorandum will further promote exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and South Korean youth in various fields.

Culture is a significant medium for China-South Korea exchanges, said Ko Myung-jin, President of the National Council of Youth Organizations in Korea, adding that he looks forward to diverse youth exchange activities in the future, and to working together to advance the relationship between the two countries.

Representatives from various sectors in South Korea and some Chinese youth representatives attended the signing ceremony and engaged in discussions on promoting youth exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Noting that public diplomacy is a crucial topic in bilateral relations, Song Ki-chull, President of the KICEC, said that over the past 20 years, the CIYEC and the KICEC have conducted exchanges and cooperation in various fields based on mutual trust. He expressed the hope of continuing to strengthen communication and cooperation to solidify the public opinion foundation of bilateral relations.

Lin Zhen, Director of the Thinktank for Eco-civilization at Beijing Forestry University and President of the Institute for Eco-civilization, BFU, said that youth are the driving force in developing ecological civilization. China's green development needs support from and cooperation with the international community, especially through youth exchanges. He expressed the hope that China and South Korea will work together to contribute youthful energy to building a clean and beautiful Earth.

Yu Mun-jong, CEO of ESG KOREA Gyeonggi Network, pointed out that the world currently faces severe environmental challenges such as climate change and the greenhouse effect. He expressed the expectation that China and South Korea, as two important countries in East Asia, will use ESG as a link to guide youth in actively practicing ecological and environmental protection concepts, promoting common development, and contributing to achieving the 2050 carbon neutrality goal.

Liu Chungang, President of the Beijing Animation&Game Industry Association, noted that cultural exchange between the two countries is a vital carrier of mutual trust and friendship. Animation is a rising cultural industry, and with the booming digital cultural trade, the Chinese market holds infinite opportunities, he said. Animation and games are pillar industries of the South Korean national economy. He expressed the hope of enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries through diverse exchange activities with relevant South Korean institutions, striving to create a brighter future for China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership.

Yang Cheol-seng, Director of the International Youth Center of the National Council of Youth Organizations in Korea, expressed the hope that the young people of both countries will strengthen practical cooperation and in-depth exchanges in fields such as animation and football. Additionally, he suggested guiding youth in contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, nurturing them into international youth leaders with a global perspective.

Xu Huanan, a member of the 13th All-China Youth Federation and Deputy Director of the China Hip-Hop Union Committee, shared information on the exchanges between Chinese and South Korean youths in street dance. He said that in the future, he will continue to tell Chinese stories with the help of street dance, helping more friends from the international community to gain a deeper understanding of China.

Zhu Haowei, Deputy Director of the CIYEC, as well as representatives from various sectors in South Korea, and members from the working teams of both sides attended the signing ceremony of the memorandum of cooperation and the seminar.