215 Employees from Samsung Affiliates and Partners Travel to China... Korea-China 'Fast Track' System Applied

Sing Haiming, Chinese Ambassador to Korea, Praises "Cooperation Examples Shown to the World"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] A total of 215 employees from Samsung Group affiliates and partner companies departed for Tianjin, China, utilizing the "Fast Track" system established between Korea and China. Following the implementation of the Fast Track system on the 1st, the LG business delegation began activities in China, and this time, employees from Samsung SDI, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung Display, and partner companies headed to the local site.

On the 10th, the business delegation held a launch event at Incheon International Airport to mark the implementation of the Korea-China businesspersons' "Fast Track" system and reaffirmed their commitment to minimizing the economic impact caused by the spread of COVID-19. The Fast Track system, effective from the 1st, is the first case institutionalizing the entry of essential personnel such as businesspeople, exempting them from the mandatory 14-day quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19 before and after departure.

Lee Sung-ho, Economic Diplomacy Coordinator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Xing Haiming, Chinese Ambassador to Korea, Eom Chan-wang, Director of Trade Cooperation at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Lee Woo-jong, Vice President of Samsung Display, held a separate meeting. Coordinator Lee said, "It is a meaningful day to restore and normalize Korea-China economic relations," adding, "I believe the first step between Korea and China sends a positive message to the world."

Ambassador Xing, who attended the meeting, emphasized the significance of the system's implementation, stating, "Only Korea and China have this system in the world, which makes it very meaningful," and added, "Through cooperation, we have shown the world 'this is how it can be done'." He continued, "We need to think about and practice what to do in the post-COVID era," and said, "The two countries should discuss and establish good cooperation plans going forward."

He also expressed support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which find it difficult to apply the Fast Track system compared to large corporations. Ambassador Xing suggested that SMEs, which find it hard to use the system, should apply collectively, and Director Eom responded that after conducting a demand survey, they are considering departures by the end of this month. Vice President Lee said, "From a corporate perspective, a system that provides substantial help has been introduced. I am grateful."

Meanwhile, Professor Yoon Seung-joo of Korea University is scheduled to return home on the same day via a temporary flight arranged by the Uzbek government after completing advisory work for the Uzbek government. The flight carried 34 Koreans and 9 foreigners.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.