On July 3-4, Secretary-General LIM Byung-jin embarked on visits to Zhengzhou City in Henan Province and Xi'an City in Shaanxi Province. During these visits, he conducted meetings with LIANG Zei, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Henan Province, and YAO Hongjuan, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shaanxi Province, aiming at fostering mutual cooperation.

Secretary-General LIM Byung-jin emphasized the growing necessity for local governments and the private sector to assume a mediating role in the progressively competitive political landscape of Northeast Asia. He encouraged Henan and Shaanxi to further bolster their collaborative efforts with local administrations across the Northeast Asian region, including Korea, by leveraging the NEAR platform. He also extended an invitation for Henan and Shaanxi to actively participate at a high level in the upcoming 14th Ulsan General Assembly scheduled for October.

In response, Mr. Liang and Mr. Yao expressed deep regard for the significance of the NEAR platform. They assured their proactive engagement in NEAR events and committed to ensuring robust participation by high-level representatives at the forthcoming NEAR General Assembly.

[Foreign Affairs Office, Henan Province]

[Foreign Affairs Office, Shaanxi Province]

The meeting saw the attendance of three delegates from Henan Province, including LI Bingbing, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office, and LIU Bao, manager of the Foreign Affairs Office. From Shaanxi Province, two representatives participated: BAN Hui, secretary of the Provincial Friendship Association, and HAO Ze, deputy director of the Provincial Friendship Association. Additionally, three representatives from the NEAR Secretariat were present, including CHO Sun-hwa, deputy director of the International Cooperation Department.