Zoucheng, Shandong Province, Chin
Zoucheng, Shandong Province, China
Purpose of Exchange
The bilateral exchanges between Korea and China, which began over 3,000 years ago, have been continued with a close focus on the Chinese characters and Confucianism and have offered an opportunity to develop a glorious East Asian civilization. Zoucheng in Shandong Province has an abundance of historical relics as the home to Mencius, a great Confucian saint. Shandong Province has always been closest to the Korean Peninsula in terms of distance, enabling frequent exchanges. Yeoncheon-gun, which has Paleolithic relics, and Zoucheng, which has Confucian relics of Mencius, aimed to promote historical and cultural exchanges. Zoucheng was the first city with which Yeongcheon-gun engaged in international exchanges.
Current Status of the Region
- CityNname : Zoucheng, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
- Address : Taiping E Rd, Zoucheng, Jining, Shandong, China Post Code (273500)
- Administrative Divisions : 3 subdistricts, 13 towns, and 815 villages
- Population : Approx. 1.15 million (2011)
- Area : 1,616 km2
- Budget : USD 1,500,000,000 (2017)
- Industrial Status
- Gross regional domestic product (GRDP): USD 13,457,000,000 (2017)
- Average income per person: USD 12,000 (2017)
- Gross domestic product by industry
- Primary Industry : USD 807,429,000
- Secondary Industry : USD 7,236,861,000
- Tertiary Industry : USD 5,722,266,000
- Eight Major Industries: Coal, petrochemical, chemical, non-ferrous metals, power generation, equipment manufacturing, agricultural products processing, textiles
- Economic growth rate: 7.1% (2017)
- Special Produce: Walnut and jujube
- Tourism Resources
- Birthplace of Mencius: Mencius-related historic sites
- Every year on April 2nd of the lunar calendar (birthday of Mencius), a ‘Chinese Mother’s Day’ event is held
- Educational Institutions : 15 elementary schools, 31 middle schools, 4 high schools, and 1 special-purpose school
Mutual Interests
| Yeoncheon-gun → Zoucheng | Zoucheng → Yeoncheon-gun |
|---|---|
|
|
Exchange Log
Areas of Administrative Exchanges
- 2020 - Present Temporary suspension of exchanges due to COVID-19
- May 2020 Mutual exchanges between public officials
- October 2015 Mutual exchanges between public officials (field survey for export of Kaesong ginseng to China)
- September, 2014 Governor of Yeoncheon-gun visited Zoucheng (invitation of a foreign guest for the opening of an athletics competition in Shandong Province)
- July, 2013 Mutual exchanges between public officials (eco-friendly model complex, benchmarking of everyday sports facilities)
- April, 2012 Mutual exchanges between public officials (inspection of industrial complexes in the economic development district)
- August, 2011 Chairperson of Yeoncheon-gun Assembly visited Zoucheng (discussed exchanges between female organizations)
- June, 2011 Governor of Yeoncheon-gun visited Zoucheng (discussed commercial exchanges)
- April, 2011 Mutual exchanges between public officials (identified differences in administrative organizations)
- November, 2010 Mutual exchanges between public officials (inspected major cultural heritages and facilities)
- October, 2010 Director of Education of Zoucheng visited Yeoncheon (discussed educational exchanges)
- July, 2010 Deputy head of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Zoucheng visited Yeoncheon (delegation to congratulate end of local election)
- May, 2010 Deputy mayor of Zoucheng visited Yeoncheon (discussed exchanges between entrepreneurs)
- October, 2009 Mutual exchanges between public officials
- December, 2008 Deputy head of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Zoucheng visited Yeoncheon
- October, 2008 Mutual exchanges between public officials
- May, 2008 Speaker of Yeoncheon-gun Assembly visited Zoucheng (signed 2nd MOU for exchanges among public officials, expanded student exchanges)
- June, 2007 Deputy mayor of Zoucheng visited Yeoncheon
- April, 2007 Governor of Yeoncheon-gun visited Zoucheng (invited as a foreign guest for Chinese Mother’s Day)
- April, 2007 Mutual exchanges between public officials
- September, 2006 Deputy Governor of Yeoncheon-gun visited Zoucheng (signed additional agreement on exchanges between public officials and students)
- May, 2006 Mayor of Zoucheng visited Yeoncheon (signed detailed agreements on exchanges between public officials, students, tourism)
- September, 2005 Governor of Yeoncheon-gun visited Zoucheng
- May, 2005 Deputy head of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress in Zoucheng visited Yeoncheon (invited as a foreign guest for the Paleolithic Festival)
- March, 2004 Signed an agreement on the friendship exchange cities of Yeoncheon and Zoucheng (March 29, 2004)
Areas of Student Exchanges
- July, 2016 Mutual exchanges through homestay for elementary school students (Yeoncheon Elementary School - Yankuang #2 Primary School)
- July, 2013 Student exchanges through homestay (middle school students)
- August, 2012 Student exchanges through homestay (elementary school and middle school students)
- July, 2011 Student exchanges through homestay (promoted secondary event for elementary school and middle school students)
- August, 2010 Student exchanges through homestay (elementary school and middle school students)
- August, 2009 Student exchanges through homestay (elementary school and middle school students)
- August, 2008 Student exchanges through homestay (elementary school, middle school, and high school students)
- August, 2007 Student exchanges through homestay (elementary school and middle school students)
Areas of Non-governmental Exchanges
- September, 2014 Non-governmental delegation of Yeoncheon-gun visited Zoucheng (overseas volunteer activities)
- October, 2013 Non-governmental delegation of Yeoncheon-gun visited Zoucheng (spread of Hallyu (Korean wave) through a presentation on beauty)
- October, 2012 Non-governmental delegation of Yeoncheon-gun visited Zoucheng (overseas volunteer activities)
- October, 2011 Non-governmental delegation of Yeoncheon-gun visited Zoucheng (began the first non-governmental exchange with delegation from the women’s council)
Future Direction for Exchanges
Areas of administrative exchanges
- Planning international fam tours, developing Yeoncheon tourist routes, and attracting tourists from China (Zoucheng)
- Mutual exchanges of key policies in two cities on measures against aging population
Areas of student exchanges
Promoting a university student exchange program linking cultural training with overseas volunteer work Renewal of the foreign language websites
Areas of non-governmental exchanges
Promoting the expansion of exchange routes through mutual visits
Areas of cultural exchanges
Promoting an invitational performance by the Zoucheng Orchestra at the Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival
Areas of commerce
Promoting an export of Kaesong ginseng, a specialty of Yeoncheon
Expected Effects
- Areas of administrative exchanges: International solidarity for regional economic vitalization and issue of aging
- Areas of student exchanges: Building a new student exchange model
- Areas of non-governmental exchanges: Contributing to vitalizing non-governmental exchanges
- Areas of commerce: Revitalizing the regional economy