Korea-China Biz Convention Opens in Shenyang

A major Korea-China business convention opened Monday in Shenyang, the first time for China to host the event.

To run through Thursday, Global Korean Business Convention 2010 China will bring together some 1,500 Korean business leaders, including more than 400 operating in China and ethnic Koreans there, as well as 200 ethnic Korean businessmen based in the U.S., Canada and Indonesia.

Also participating are Korean companies planning to advance into China as well as Korean-Chinese businessmen.

Despite the convention typically being for small and medium-size companies, major Korean groups and corporations doing business in China including Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Cheil Jedang and SK will attend.

Three hundred Chinese businessmen will participate in the event for the first time. They have promised to strengthen exchanges and collaboration with Korea through the Korea-China Goods Fair and Top 100 Korea-China Business Exchange Meeting Tuesday.

Shenyang hosted the event to set up a platform where Korean and Chinese businessmen can conduct mutual exchanges and attract interest in Dongbei. The Shenyang city government hosts the annual fair “Korea Week” featuring investment seminars and cultural events.

The World Federation of Korean Associations of Commerce and the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders’ Associations will hold a general meeting in Shenyang on making inroads into the rapidly rising Chinese market. The Korean Community China will hold a region-wide meeting of chairmen for exchanges with Korean business leaders from abroad.

In addition, more than 30 other events will be held simultaneously at the Shenyang Science Park and the Marriott Hotel, including the Korea-China Economic Trade Goods Fair and Korea-China High-Tech Industry Exchange Meeting.

To spread Korean culture in China, an event for the globalization of Korean food, a Korean film festival, and a Korean universities education fair will also be held.

bonhong@donga.com