Seoul mayor meets Beijing counterpart, urges restored trilateral ties with Tokyo

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon called for restoring cooperation among the capitals of Korea, China and Japan during a meeting with Beijing Mayor Yin Yong on Tuesday.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, left, meets Beijing Mayor Yin Yong at the government complex in Beijing on Tuesday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon called for restoring cooperation among the capitals of Korea, China and Japan during a meeting with Beijing Mayor Yin Yong on Tuesday.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday that Seoul's mayor met with his counterpart in Beijing the day before, promising to expand exchanges between the two cities. The high-level talks between the mayors of Seoul and Beijing were held for the first time since 2018.

The two capitals became sister cities in October 1993, a year after Korea and China officially established diplomatic relations. In 2003, the two cities enhanced cooperation by establishing the Seoul-Beijing Joint Committee, which consists of four subcommittees for the economy, culture, education and the environment.

“It took some time to restore relations between the two cities after the pandemic, but I made the visit believing that the development of cooperative relations between the two cities would benefit the people's lives,” Oh was quoted as saying.

“Exchanges between local governments are very important. The relationship between Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo was very good in the past. I hope that by restoring cooperation among the three cities, we can achieve mutual development once again."

Oh also invited his counterpart to Seoul, stressing the necessity of cultural and personnel exchanges to enhance cooperation.

Beijing's mayor noted the significance of the exchange between the two cities through the joint committee.

“The Seoul mayor’s visit will help not only the relationship between the two cities but also corporate activities and exchanges between citizens and contribute to Korea-China relations,” Yin said, adding that he would consider visiting Seoul at an appropriate time.

Yin took office as Beijing's mayor in January last year. He is a financial expert who served as the vice governor of the People’s Bank of China between 2016 and 2018. He also served as deputy party secretary and vice mayor of Beijing.

Through the meeting, the two mayors agreed to expand exchanges between officials of both cities and opportunities to share good policies. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening exchanges between the youth, who will be the future of the two countries, from both cities to create an atmosphere of mutual understanding in terms of culture and social environment.

Oh also invited Beijing’s city representatives and companies to the Seoul Smart Life Week, a technology exhibition scheduled for Oct. 10 through 12.

“Just as Seoul and Beijing have been the closest neighbors so far, I hope we will continue to become partners working together for the peace and prosperity of Northeast Asia and the rest of the world,” Oh said.

Oh embarked on a three-leg trip to Paris, Chongqing and Beijing last week, which concludes on Thursday.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]