On February 25, the 11th China–ROK Public Diplomacy Forum was held in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. The forum was co-hosted by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of China and the Republic of Korea (ROK), organized by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) and the Korea Foundation, and supported by the People’s Government of Liaoning Province. Wu Hailong, President of the CPDA; Shan Yi, Vice Governor of Liaoning Province; Kim Kee-Hwan, President of the Korea Foundation; and Choe Hee-duk, Consul General of the ROK in Shenyang, attended and delivered speeches. Other attendees included Tong Xiaoling, Ambassador of the CPDA; former Chinese Ambassadors to the ROK Qiu Guohong and Xing Haiming; and former ROK Ambassador to China Shin Jung-seung. The forum centered on the theme “Joining Hands for the Future: Seeking New Development Together,” facilitating in-depth exchanges and discussions.

In his remarks, Wu Hailong emphasized the need for mutual respect and inclusiveness between China and the ROK to continuously consolidate and develop their strategic cooperative partnership. He advocated for viewing bilateral relations from a higher strategic perspective, discarding nationalist and populist ideologies, and ensuring that geopolitical factors do not influence China–ROK relations. Wu also highlighted the importance of enhancing mutual understanding and goodwill through increased dialogue and exchanges, maintaining a friendly direction, being trustworthy neighbors, achieving mutual success, and promoting common prosperity and progress.

Kim Kee-Hwan noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and the ROK have maintained exchanges and cooperation across political, economic, and diplomatic fields. Amid the intertwined global security and economic challenges, he expressed hope that the forum would serve as a platform for in-depth exchanges on mutual respect, win-win cooperation, and joint development, injecting new momentum into the stable and healthy development of the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership.

Shan Yi highlighted Liaoning Province’s geographical proximity and close people-to-people ties with the ROK, positioning it as a witness, participant, and beneficiary of China–ROK relations. He expressed willingness to work with various sectors in the ROK to seize current opportunities and focus on the future by further aligning development strategies, deepening cooperation in key industries and economic and trade investments, and continuously promoting cultural exchanges for mutual benefit and win-win development.

Choe Hee-duk stated that the China–ROK Public Diplomacy Forum is a representative Track 1.5 mechanism between the two countries. The resumption of in-person dialogue holds significant importance for enhancing mutual understanding. He emphasized that now is the optimal time to elevate bilateral relations and hoped that both countries would strengthen their friendship and jointly achieve common development amid the rapidly changing international landscape.

Following the opening ceremony, three sub-forums on political diplomacy, economic and trade cooperation, and social and cultural exchange were held. Participants engaged in candid and in-depth dialogues on topics such as “seeking common ground while reserving differences, enhancing mutual trust, and promoting the sustained, healthy, and stable development of bilateral relations”; “mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, connectivity, and creating new growth points in economic and trade cooperation”; and “enhancing friendship, promoting exchanges, and building a stronger bridge of mutual understanding and affinity,” offering constructive suggestions for bilateral cooperation.

Notable Chinese participants included Yang Yujun, Dean of the Institute for Media and Public Affairs at the Communication University of China; Shi Ding, Executive Editor of Global Times Online; Wang Junseng, Director of the Peripheral Strategy Research Office at the Institute of Asia-Pacific and Global Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Professor Li Kai, Vice President of the China Northeast Revitalization Research Institute at Northeastern University; Professor Huang Rihan, Executive Dean of the Digital Economy Think Tank at Huaqiao University; Meng Yueming, Director of the Northeast Asia Research Institute at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences; and Professor Zhang Dongming, Dean of the Northeast Asia Research Institute at Liaoning University.

The ROK delegation featured scholars such as Professor Park Ki-soon from the Graduate School of Chinese Studies at Sungkyunkwan University; Professor Kim Jae-chul from the Department of International Studies at the Catholic University of Korea; Professor Kang Jun-young from the Department of Chinese Studies at the Graduate School of International and Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies; Professor Lim Dae-geun from the Department of Global Cultural Contents at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies; Professor Jung Yoo-sun from the Kwe-dang Institute for General Education at Sangmyung University; and Professor Yeo Yoo-kyung from the Department of International Studies at Kyung Hee University.

Officials from the Liaoning Provincial Government, the Shenyang Municipal Government, the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the ROK Embassy in China also attended the forum.