Namyangju City Signs Cultural Exchange MOU with Mianyang City of China

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Namyangju City held an official meeting on the 6th in Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, China, and signed a cultural exchange and cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two cities.

This agreement represents the first substantive exchange promoted on the basis of the Letter of Intent (LOI) for friendly cooperation signed in 2021, becoming a new milestone in cultural cooperation between Korea-China local governments.

Mianyang City is recognized by Chinese authorities as the "sole science and technology city in China," and based on an industrial structure that combines defense and civilian technology, is building a cutting-edge industrial ecosystem including electronics, information, and smart manufacturing. As the center of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone in northern Sichuan Province, with well-developed transportation and logistics infrastructure, it is evaluated as a key industrial hub in China's inland west.

The meeting was held under the auspices of Mayor Li Yuan of Mianyang City with delegations from both cities in attendance. Following remarks from both mayors, an MOU signing and exchange of commemorative gifts took place between directors of culture and tourism.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed this time centers on humanistic and cultural exchanges mediated by figures representing each city: Dasan Jeong Yak-yong and Li Bai (李白, widely known in Korea by his pen name "Yi Tae-baek"). The agreement includes a broad range of cooperation areas such as △expansion of exchange utilizing cultural heritage and tourism resources, △joint development of classical literature content, and △academic and research exchange.

Meanwhile, Namyangju City presented a handcrafted lamp titled "Lantern Illuminating Chrysanthemums," embodying the spirit of Scholar Jeong Yak-yong, as a commemorative gift to Mianyang City. This lantern is a traditional lamp with chrysanthemum flower patterns, symbolizing the integrity of scholars and expressing the lasting and warm friendship between the two cities.

Mayor Ju Gwang-deok stated, "The cultural exchange connecting Scholar Jeong Yak-yong and poet Li Bai is a precious journey through which the two cities communicate through humanistic spirit beyond time and borders," adding, "I hope this agreement becomes the starting point of living and breathing cultural exchange."