Chungnam Province, striving to emerge as South Korea's premier "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Capital," has dispatched a high-level delegation to China's core regions of technological advancement to explore broad avenues for future industry cooperation.

Led by Koo Bon-young, the Vice Governor for Political Affairs, the Chungnam delegation embarked on a 5-day, 6-night itinerary from September 15 to 20, visiting key Chinese economic and technological powerhouses including Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, Nanning in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Shanghai.

The primary objective of this strategic diplomatic mission is to expand inter-governmental exchanges in cutting-edge sectors such as AI, foster collaborative joint ventures, and strengthen international networks. To ensure a comprehensive and multidimensional approach, the delegation is structured as a multi-sector collaborative body. It includes representatives from local municipal governments like Asan City, prominent research institutions such as the Chungnam Institute and the Chungnam Technopark, regional higher education entities including Chungnam State University and Soonchunhyang University, as well as delegates from the Chungnam Small and Medium Business Federation and various private enterprises. This diverse composition is designed to build a robust foundation spanning policy, research, education, and industrial manufacturing fields.

The itinerary kicks off on September 15 in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province. The delegation is scheduled to inspect a hydrogen fuel cell production facility operated by a prominent South Korean conglomerate, assessing cutting-edge green energy applications. Following the site tour, Vice Governor Koo will meet with the Vice Chairman of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Marking the 10th anniversary of sister-state relations between Chungnam and Guangdong, the discussions will focus on broadening bilateral cooperation into future industries, youth exchanges, and educational programs.

On September 16, the delegation moves to Shenzhen, widely recognized as China's premier hub for innovation, reform, and opening-up. In Shenzhen, Chungnam Province and Asan City will jointly host an investment environment briefing session aimed at bolstering economic ties, encouraging exchanges with major local tech enterprises, and unlocking mutual investment opportunities. Furthermore, the delegation will participate in a joint academic and industrial seminar organized by the Chungnam Institute alongside Chinese research organizations, delving deeper into technological partnerships.

By engaging with China's tech-driven regions—often characterized by the nation's aggressive "AI and high-tech rise" (advanced tech momentum)—Chungnam aims to benchmark advanced industry models, elevate its domestic AI ecosystem, and secure global competitiveness. Provincial authorities emphasized that this visit will serve as a vital stepping stone to support local businesses in expanding their presence into Chinese and broader ASEAN markets through reinforced networks across local governments, academia, and industry.