

The Secretariat delegates visited Liaoning Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in China on November 24-28 to promote exchange and cooperation among regional governments and to attract new members.
At the meeting and welcome dinner held at the Liaoning Friendship Hotel in Shenyang, Liaoning Province on the 24th, Gao Aihua, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Liaoning Province warmly welcomed the delegates. In the meantime, Director General of NEAR Lee Jong-hwan briefly introduced the organization and recommended the province to join NEAR as a member. The Deputy Director replied that Liaoning Province has been participating in the NEAR's activities as an observer and will promote more exchange and cooperation with NEAR in the future.
Also, the delegates visited Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the successful venue of the 9th NEAR General Assembly. They met with Director Zhang Huaiyi and his staff of Asian Affairs Division at Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of the region and shared opinion on how to enhance ties and cooperation with other members.