“It’s been fifteen years since my first visit to China in 2009,” said Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon emotionally, as he marveled at the significant changes that have taken place in Beijing during his recent trip.

At Beijing’s invitation, Mayor Oh led a delegation to visit the city from July 30 to August 1. Beijing and Seoul have maintained close cooperation and exchanges in various fields since twinning in 1993. The Beijing-Seoul Joint Committee was set up by the two sides, forming a comprehensive, systematic and wide-ranging mechanism for exchange and cooperation. The mechanism, covering a wide range of sectors including economy and trade, sci-tech, education, tourism, culture, environmental protection and transportation, has achieved fruitful results. Mr. Oh assumed the position of mayor of Seoul in 2006 and was reelected in 2010. For this visit to Beijing, he aimed to further consolidate bilateral ties and pushing forward exchanges and cooperation between the two cities, with a particular focus on sci-tech innovation.

During the visit to Beijing, the delegation had a packed schedule. They toured the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMC), visited several places in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area including the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center and Innoway, and attended a Seoul brand promotion event.

Experiencing high-quality development of the BMC

Standing high and looking from afar, the delegates overlooked the BMC unfolding like a magnificent painting. They marveled at the lush greenery, towering buildings, waves of the Grand Canal, and the distant views of Tianjin and Hebei. Entering the Beijing Library in the Central Green Forest Park, the delegation saw a landmark known as the “forest of knowledge”, named for its 144 ginkgo tree-like canopies that support the roof. The delegates listened attentively to the introduction of the library design and construction, automated book sorting and smart desktops. They also interacted with AI figures at the Metaverse Experience Hall, and expressed their interest in sending representatives from relevant departments in Seoul to study and exchange ideas with the library.

Focusing on cutting-edge technologies

The delegation visited Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, showing a keen interest in a humanoid robot demonstration. The robot performed a series of movements such as disorderly grasping, humanoid running, and walking on slopes and stairs. The robot “Tiangong” impressed the delegates with its ability to smoothly navigate slopes and stairs in blind vision scenarios, and its agility in adjusting its gait when stumbling or stepping into a void. The delegates expressed their desire to learn more about the relevant technologies and application scenarios, so as to facilitate business cooperation between the two sides.

Hoping to strengthen cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship

In recent years, Beijing has consistently worked to improve the business environment, offering quality entrepreneurial support and services to institutions and companies from countries all over the world, including those from the Republic of Korea (ROK). The city has particularly focused on cooperation and in-depth communications with the ROK in industries such as electronics, biomedicine and food industries through platforms like the ZGC Forum, achieving positive results. The delegation visited Innoway and thought highly of its vibrancy. They learned in detail about Beijing’s innovation and entrepreneurship services, as well as its supporting measures for international talents, talked with incubators and startups, and expressed their hope to take this trip as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship.

During their stay in Beijing, the delegates also visited SKP-S to gain insights into the latest trends among the city’s youth. Additionally, they hosted a Seoul brand promotion event to showcase smart lifestyle products, beauty products and delicacies, attracting numerous citizens.