On May 29 (Fri), NEAR Secretary-General Lim Byung-jin attended a reception jointly hosted by Chinese and Russian Embassies in Korea to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 「China–Russia Strategic Partnership and the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia」.
The event was attended by more than 20 members of the diplomatic corps in Korea, including ambassadors from BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), ASEAN member and partner countries. Attendees also included Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of CJ Group, and Ra Jong-yil, former Korean Ambassador to the UK, along with prominent figures from Korea’s political, economic, and social spheres.
The reception featured welcome remarks by Dai Bing, Chinese Ambassador to Korea, and Georgy Zinoviev, Russian Ambassador to Korea, congratulatory remarks delivered on behalf of Sindiswa Mququ, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Korea, and congratulatory remarks by Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik of CJ Group.
During the event, Secretary-General Lim met with Ambassador Georgy Zinoviev and congratulated him on the successful hosting of the reception. He expressed his appreciation for the Ambassador’s planned participation in the 「15th NEAR High-Level Working Committee」 to be held in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia, in June, as well as for the attendance of Director Vladimir Kaprin from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Secretary-General Lim also extended his gratitude to Ambassador for expressing his intention to participate in the 「Northeast Asia Local Cooperation Forum」, an occasion that will invite and bring together ambassadors from member countries, and be held in Seoul on August 20, as well as for Russia’s continued support and interest in NEAR.
Secretary-General Lim also met with Dai Bing, Chinese Ambassador in Korea. During the meeting, he introduced recent NEAR activities, including the Digital Economy Subcommittee hosted by Liaoning Province and the High-Level Working Committee hosted by the Republic of Buryatia. He emphasized the significant role within the NEAR platform played by NEAR’s 14 Chinese member governments and invited Ambassador to attend the 「Northeast Asia Local Cooperation Forum」 on August 20.
Meanwhile, Secretary-General Lim met with ambassadors from several NEAR associate member countries, including Asset Issenali, Ambassador of Kazakhstan; Aida Ismailova, Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan; Myo Myint Maung, Ambassador of Myanmar, and Ashisher AbduSalomov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan. He expressed appreciation for their interest in and cooperation with NEAR and requested their continued support and close collaboration in the future.
In particular, Secretary-General Lim congratulated Ambassador Asset Issenali on his recent appointment as Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Korea. He also expressed gratitude for the strong interest and support shown by former Ambassador Nurgali Arystanov toward NEAR activities and requested continued interest and cooperation under the new ambassador’s leadership.
Furthermore, Secretary-General Lim met with diplomatic representatives from various countries, including Khuon Phon Rattanak, Ambassador of Cambodia; M.K. Pathma Naathan, Ambassador of Sri Lanka; Dessie Dalkie Dukamo, Ambassador of Ethiopia; Andrei Chernetski, Ambassador of Belarus; Aleksandar Đorđević, Minister Counselor of Serbia; Bao Xuhui, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy; and Liu Chaowei, Defense Attaché of the Chinese Embassy. During these meetings, he introduced NEAR and requested their interest and support for expanding future cooperation.
Secretary-General Lim also met with Korean participants, including Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman and CEO of CJ Group, and Ra Jong-yil, former Korean Ambassador to Japan and the UK. He introduced NEAR’s activities and exchanged views on areas of mutual interest.