The 2012 Korea-China Youth Exchange program was conducted in Korea from October 22-30, organized by the Future Forest group with support from the Korea Foundation, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the Communist Youth League of China.

The bilateral student exchange program was launched pursuant to an agreement reached during the Korea-China summit meeting held in May 2008. Overall, it seeks to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between university students and young government officials of Korea and China, in order to build a foundation for future-oriented cooperation between the two countries through the interaction of next-generation leaders.

Of particular note, this year's program was designed to survey the past, present, and future of the 20 years of Korea-China relations, along with fostering mutual understanding between the two countries' youth, who have grown up during the 20-year history of Korea-China diplomatic ties.
Based on the theme of ''China in Korea, and Korea," the program consisted of various activities to help the youth of both oth countries
to better understand each other. The recent exchange program session included the visit to Korea of 145 individuals related to the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and another 100 members of the Beijing Youth League. Qi Jianguo, who headed the Chinese delegation, is a veteran diplomat of China, who has served as China's ambassador to Vietnam, and is currently an advisor to the China-Korea Friendship Association.

The delegation's visit was highlighted by the "Korea-China Youth Friendship Day" event, held on October 23, with the participation of 350 Korean and Chinese youth who jointly conducted volunteer services for underprivileged persons. Divided into five teams, they visited the Senior Welfare Center of Seoul and the Seoul Welfare Center for the Disabled to spend time with elderly people. In addition, they also contributed their time and effort to environmental protection projects, like planting trees at the World Cup Noeul Park and cleaning up areas at Seoul Grand Park, while getting to know each other through their cooperative endeavors.

Outside of Seoul, the Chinese delegation also visited diverse places, such as Hanok Village in Jeonju, Saemangeum project in Gunsan, Nurimaru APEC House in Busan, Jeju Free International City Development Center, and DAUM headquarters. They also viewed a musical performance and enjoyed a sightseeing tour of such cultural sites in Gyeongju as Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, to personally experience the richness of Korea's history and culture.

In May this year, the Korea Foundation invited 150 Chinese young government officials to visit Korea and also dispatched 120 Korean youth to visit China in July. Launched in 2009, this youth exchange program is intended to contribute to the future prosperity of Korea and China, based on friendship and mutual understanding, with an annual exchange of about 2,000 students and youth through 2013.

Media & Public Relations Center