A salty sweet bond: China & Korea’s mutual affection shines through

In 1996, Yancheng officially established sister-city relations with Namwon City, Jeollabuk-do Special Self-Governing Province, South Korea, marking the beginning of friendly ties between Yancheng and Korean cities. This year marks the 30th anniversary of their partnership. To further deepen exchanges and cooperation with Korean sister cities and promote mutual cultural understanding and people-to-people bonds, a Yancheng delegation visited Gwangju Metropolitan City and Namwon City from April 29 to May 2 for a series of cultural exchange activities.

The delegation’s itinerary was packed with fruitful activities. They visited the Chinese Consulate General in Gwangju, the Gwangju Metropolitan City Council, and the Gwangju Metropolitan City Government, and met with the Mayor of Namwon. In Gwangju, the delegation learned about the latest developments in China-Korea local exchanges and held in-depth discussions on promoting cultural, educational, and youth exchanges between Yancheng and Gwangju. During the meeting with Namwon’s mayor, both sides agreed to take the 30th anniversary as an opportunity to expand practical cooperation in culture, tourism, sports, and more.

Cultural Encounters & Sister-City Dialogues

The exchanges combined official meetings with cultural visits, artistic interactions, and sister-city dialogues. Delegation members toured the former residence of Zheng Lücheng in Gwangju, the Asia Culture Center, the Namwon International Campus of Jeonbuk National University, the Namwon Immersive Exhibition Hall, and the Kim Byeong-jong Art Museum.

“Little Spoon” Turns into “Smida Spoon”, Captivating Korea

As a popular cultural IP of Yancheng International Communication Center, "Little Spoon" — inspired by the rare Spoon-billed Sandpiper — joined the delegation on its Korea trip, transforming into a China-Korea friendship ambassador nicknamed "Smida Spoon." This adorable character made stops everywhere: strolling through Chunhyang Village in Namwon, making a grand appearance at the 96th Chunhyang Festival, soaking in art at the Kim Byeong-jong Art Museum, and exploring the cutting-edge Namwon Immersive Exhibition Hall (FIORIUM).

With its lively and cute charm, "Smida Spoon" won countless fans wherever it went, earning much love and admiration from local Koreans, and vividly showcasing Yancheng’s unique city charm and ecological appeal.

Huai Opera Melodies at Chunhyang Festival

The Namwon Chunhyang Festival, first held in 1931, originates from the classic Joseon Dynasty love story Chunhyangjeon. Having been successfully held for 95 sessions, it is one of Korea’s oldest and most influential traditional cultural festivals and an important platform for China-Korea cultural exchange, attracting guests and tourists from around the world every year.

The Yancheng delegation actively participated in the Chunhyang Festival, presenting wonderful performances to Korean audiences. The group dance Crane and Deer in Spring, Huai opera medleys Slow, Slow Song and My Home is in Yancheng, the duet dance Destiny of the Celestial, and a saxophone solo The Moon Represents My Heart drew rounds of applause.

On site, Huai opera performers in elegant costumes interacted with Korean audiences with their unique charm. With melodious tunes and graceful movements, the audience experienced the singing and postures of this intangible cultural heritage up close, showing great interest and eagerly communicating with the performers.

Wetlands as a Bond: Youth Friendship

On April 22, the 57th Earth Day, the "Living with Wetlands" China-Korea Youth Cultural Exchange officially kicked off. Using wetlands as a bond, Yancheng, together with international wetland cities such as Harbin, Jining, Kunming, and Haikou, and cities along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, partnered with five Korean sister cities (Namwon City of Jeollabuk-do, Jecheon City of Chungcheongbuk-do, Nam-gu of Ulsan Metropolitan City, Gyeyang-gu of Incheon Metropolitan City, and Gwangju Metropolitan City) to solicit paintings and photographs from young people in both countries.

On the streets of Namwon, the delegation held an on-site call for entries for the "Living with Wetlands – Painting Youth Friendship" China-Korea youth art and photo contest, inviting Korean youth to capture the vivid moments of wetlands with brushes or cameras, expressing their love and thoughts for nature. The event drew keen attention from young Koreans, with many signing up on the spot. This activity will be organically integrated with tourism promotion and industry outreach to Korea, fostering cultural integration and people-to-people bonds, and comprehensively communicating the concept of ecological civilization.

Beyond Festivals: Toward Co-Development

This cultural exchange journey to Korea was not only a cultural trip but also a journey of friendship and cooperation. Exchanges between Yancheng and its Korean sister cities are evolving from "festival interactions" to "institutional cooperation", and from "cultural visits" to "industrial co-development". This deepening mutual embrace is writing a new chapter of coordinated development between China and Korea’s sister cities.