'30 Years of Friendship' Incheon-si and Tianjin-si, China Sign Joint Declaration... Cooperation to Resume Caferry Service

Incheon City and Tianjin City in China have agreed to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including the resumption of ferry operations, to mark the 30th anniversary of their sister city relationship this year.

On the 29th, while visiting China, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok met with Tianjin Communist Party Committee Secretary Chen Min'er and Mayor Zhang Gong, and they agreed to cooperate on resuming the ferry service between the two cities, which has been suspended for three years.

The Incheon-Tianjin ferry route began operations in 1991, but the service was suspended in February 2020 due to the vessel age limit (30 years), and no new ship construction has taken place since, leaving the sea route cut off.

Mayor Yoo and Mayor Zhang shared the view that the prolonged suspension of the ferry service is hindering smooth exchanges in economic trade and human interaction between the two cities, and they plan to cooperate to ensure the ferry service is resumed as soon as possible.

Mayor Yoo also proposed forming an economic community involving representative port cities of Korea, China, and Japan, including Incheon, Tianjin, and Kobe. In response, Mayor Zhang expressed willingness to participate, stating, "Exchanges at the local government level contribute to the stability and development of Northeast Asia."

In a joint declaration signed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their sister city relationship, they agreed to continuously develop their sister city ties, including regular high-level visits.

Additionally, they plan to expand exchanges and cooperation in areas such as economy, education, disease and health, tourism and ports, culture, and academia, and to further activate human exchanges.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok and Tianjin Mayor Zhang Gong are taking a commemorative photo after signing the declaration at the '30th Anniversary Declaration Signing Ceremony of the Incheon-Tianjin Sister City Relationship' held at the Guesthouse in Tianjin, China, on the 29th.
[Photo by Incheon City]

The Incheon City Dance Company and the Tianjin Performing Troupe held a joint commemorative performance at the Tianjin Grand Theater on the same day, offering a variety of attractions to about 200 Korean residents and Tianjin citizens who visited the theater.

Mayor Yoo said, "Marking the 30th anniversary with Tianjin City, we will further expand exchanges at the local government level and continue our friendly relations. We have invited a delegation from Tianjin City to the In-China Forum to be held this September, and Mayor Zhang has expressed his intention to actively participate."

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