Liaoning Province and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China have recently submitted applications to the NEAR Secretariat, seeking approval for the establishment of subcommittees.

Liaoning Province, renowned as the "Digital Liaoning Smart Manufacturing Province," has applied to create the NEAR Subcommittee on Digital Economy. This move is underpinned by its significant accomplishments in advancing industrial growth within the digital economy realm over the past few years.

Furthermore, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, recognized as China's largest energy province, has submitted an application for the formation of the NEAR Subcommittee on Energy Cooperation. The goal is to foster collaboration in energy initiatives among local governments in the Northeast Asian region, leveraging its abundant energy resources in the area.

Pending approval at the upcoming 14th NEAR General Assembly scheduled for October 25th in Ulsan, the addition of these subcommittees would elevate the total count of NEAR subcommittees to 19.