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South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok kicked off his three-day official visit to China on the afternoon of June 22 in Beijing, starting with a meeting with Chinese business leaders. During the gathering held at the South Korean Ambassador's residence in Beijing, Prime Minister Kim met with entrepreneurs from China's startup and innovation ecosystem, particularly in the fields of AI and robotics, to exchange insights. / Courtesy of the Prime Minister's Office

During the gathering at the South Korean Ambassador's residence in Beijing on the afternoon of June 22, Prime Minister Kim met with entrepreneurs representing China's startup and innovation ecosystem in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and autonomous driving to exchange insights. In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Kim noted, "The absolute biggest reason I wanted to attend this gathering was to witness China's dazzling economic development firsthand. Having heard so much about it back home, my primary goal was to come here and see it for myself."

Reflecting on the visit, he added, "Returning to China for the first time in eight years, it is deeply meaningful that my very first official itinerary is to sit down with the dynamic leaders who hold the reins of the future of the Chinese economy."

He also underscored the recent diplomatic momentum between the two nations, stating, "Last November, during the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, I had the privilege of receiving General Secretary and State President Xi Jinping. Following that, President Lee Jae-myung made a state visit to China this past January, placing our two nations on a path that is sturdier than ever, built upon the long historical foundation established since the normalization of diplomatic ties."

Prime Minister Kim went on to express his admiration for China's technological strides, saying, "We watch with great admiration as China plays a leading role globally, ranking within the top tier especially in science and technology. Therefore, in our meeting today, I am eager to hear the secrets behind how you built your respective companies and listen to the experiences you would like to share."

Furthermore, he remarked, "I am interested in learning about the sense of responsibility and values you hold as entrepreneurs and economic leaders for your society, community, and people. I would also love to hear your thoughts on where we can forge meaningful cooperation with the South Korean economy and businesses moving forward."

The meeting was arranged to gather feedback from Chinese business leaders regarding China's rapid advancements in science, technology, and cutting-edge industries, the underlying startup and innovation ecosystem fueling this growth, and ways to expand exchanges between enterprises of both countries. The South Korean delegation included First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Yun-joo, Ambassador to China No Jae-heon, Global Climate and Environment Ambassador Kang Kum-sil, Chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in China Lee Hyuk-joon, and Foreign Policy Advisor Kwon Won-jik.

The Chinese entrepreneurs in attendance began by introducing China's dynamic startup ecosystem and the government's support frameworks for innovative science and technology. They subsequently outlined their core business operations geared toward leading the era of grand AI transformation, encompassing smartphones, smart home appliances, robotics, autonomous driving, advanced logistics, and AI infrastructure.

During the exchange, the Chinese business leaders evaluated South Korea as a vital global partner, expressing a strong desire to consistently expand mutually beneficial cooperation across these high-tech sectors. They also voiced hope for proactive interest and engagement from both the South Korean government and Korean enterprises.

In response, Prime Minister Kim concluded, "Through the insights shared by the Chinese business leaders today, I could vividly feel the dynamic energy and creativity driving the Chinese economy and business sector. I expect today's dialogue to serve as a pivotal milestone in further strengthening bilateral cooperation between South Korea and China in advanced industries, science, and technology."

                                                                                                           Hong Soon-do