Zhang Xin, vice-governor of Guangdong province, met with Kim Tae-heum, governor of the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s Chungcheongnam-do province, in Guangzhou on November 1, and attended a forum on bay area development.

Zhang noted that since the two provinces established friendly relations in 2016, they have maintained close exchanges across multiple fields and achieved fruitful outcomes. By pursuing high-level reform and greater openness, Guangdong aims to drive high-quality development. Zhang expressed willingness to advance strategic cooperation between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the ROK's Bay Valley Megacity, deepen industrial and trade cooperation with Chungcheongnam-do, and foster exchanges in culture, tourism, agriculture and youth engagement, ensuring that Guangdong and Chungcheongnam-do continue to lead in China-ROK cooperation.

Kim said that both Chungcheongnam-do and Guangdong are among the most economically dynamic regions in their respective countries. He expressed hopes for strengthened alignment in bay area strategies, closer cooperation across various sectors and enhanced friendship to contribute momentum to ROK-China relations.