On December 6, Secretary-General LIM Byung-jin held a meeting with a delegation from Shaanxi Province, who visited Gyeongju to attend the 2023 NEAR International Forum and the 14th Subcommittee on Economy and Humanities Exchange.

Mr. Lim extended a warm welcome to the delegation from Shaanxi Province, comprising DA Yue, committee member and YANG Lin, deputy secretary-general of the Shaanxi Youth Federation, LIU Zhen, director of the Video Media Group of the Shaanxi Provincial People's Friendship Association and NEAR honorary ambassador, and LI Manrui, president of the Shaanxi Silk Road Cultural Exchange Center and NEAR honorary ambassador. Emphasizing the event’s distinction as the largest international forum to date, with 38 local governments from five Northeast Asian countries participating, Mr. Lim expressed appreciation for the active involvement of Shaanxi Province officials, particularly YAO Hongjuan, director of the Foreign Affairs Office, in NEAR events this year. He sought continued interest and support for Shaanxi Province for future NEAR activities. 

In response, Mr. Yang conveyed gratitude to Mr. Lim’s hospitality and provided an overview of the current initiatives undertaken by the Shaanxi Youth Federation. Mr. Liu, as NEAR honorary ambassador, extended an invitation to Mr. Lim to visit Shaanxi Province. Mr. Li, another NEAR honorary ambassador introduced the Silk Road Cultural Exchange Center and expressed the aspiration for future collaboration through the NEAR platform, particularly in organizing cultural festivals with local governments in Northeast Asia. He also requested NEAR’s support in this endeavor.