A view of Nantong. [Photo by Xu Congjun to en.nantong.gov.cn]

A delegation from Nantong, led by Zhang Tong, the city's mayor, visited Busan and Seoul, South Korea, from Oct 26 to 29 to promote economic and trade cooperation.

The visit focused on two-way investment, industrial collaboration and broader institutional exchanges. The delegation met with business associations, financial institutions and companies to seek cooperation opportunities in advanced manufacturing and other emerging industries.

During the trip, Zhang and the delegation held discussions with South Korean industry and business associations on expanding investment channels, strengthening cooperation between industrial and innovation resources, and establishing regular exchange mechanisms.

They also visited major manufacturing companies and learned about their global operations and investment plans. The two sides explored potential cooperation in new materials, shipbuilding and offshore engineering supply chains, and industrial upgrading.

On Oct 28, the China-South Korea Two-way Investment and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference and the Nantong-South Korea Industrial Cooperation Matchmaking Conference were held in Seoul, bringing together more than 100 representatives from industry associations, leading companies and innovation communities across both countries, including those in the biomedicine sector.

Addressing the event, Zhang said Nantong and South Korea have developed increasingly close economic ties. She said that South Korean companies have expanded their presence in Nantong, while Nantong-based companies have also invested in South Korea.

Zhang highlighted opportunities for cooperation in high-end green ships, intelligent ship technologies, semiconductors and display panels, and invited more South Korean companies, professionals and investment institutions to explore opportunities in Nantong. She said Nantong is committed to continuing to improve its business environment and support foreign companies operating in the city.