'Pearl Buck International Cultural Exchange' Jingjiang City, China, Donates 20,000 Masks to Bucheon City

Jingjiang City in China sent 20,000 masks to Bucheon City.
[Photo by Bucheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Bucheon City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 11th that Jinjiang City, China, a sister city for Pearl Buck International Cultural Exchange, sent 20,000 masks for Bucheon citizens.

The mask boxes bore a message of encouragement: '肝膽每相照, 氷壺映寒月 (gandanmaesangjo, binghoyeonghanwol)'. It means that a deep friendship where everything is openly shared is as transparent as the cold moonlight reflected in a jade kettle.

The two cities have continued exchanges in culture, arts, and research through Pearl Buck, the author of the novel The Good Earth and Nobel Prize laureate in Literature.

In 2019, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Pearl Buck International Cultural Exchange and have been cooperating for the joint development of cultural industries based on mutual benefit and trust, including Pearl Buck international academic exchanges and visits by cultural and artistic organizations.

Pearl Buck spent her youth in Jinjiang City, China. Bucheon City established the Sosa Hope Center (currently the Pearl Buck Memorial Hall) and is deeply connected to both Jinjiang City and Bucheon through her, having published three novels set in Korea: Two Girls from Korea (1951), Living Reeds (1963), and New Year (1968).

Bucheon plans to distribute the 20,000 masks to socially vulnerable groups and other places in need for COVID-19 response.

Mayor Jang Deokcheon said, "We are grateful to Jinjiang City, China, for generously supporting masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19," and added, "We hope the day will come soon when the international community joins forces to end the COVID-19 crisis."

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