Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nakyoung Welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping: "First Visit to Gyeongju in 16 Years"

President Xi: "It is deeply meaningful to visit Gyeongju again and I remember the warm welcome from my last visit"
Mayor Joo: "Gyeongju will serve as a bridge for Korea-China cooperation and a starting point toward the world"

The city of Gyeongju announced on October 31 that Mayor Joo Nakyoung officially welcomed Xi Jinping, President of China, who visited Gyeongju on October 30 to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

On that day, Mayor Joo personally greeted President Xi on behalf of the citizens of Gyeongju in the lobby of the Kolon Hotel and presented him with a bouquet of flowers.

Joo Nakyoung, Mayor of Gyeongju City, announced through his Facebook that he officially welcomed Xi Jinping, President of China. Photo by Joo Nakyoung, Mayor of Gyeongju City, Facebook

Mayor Joo stated, "Gyeongju, a city with a thousand-year history, is now growing into a city where culture and international conferences coexist. I hope that this APEC Summit will serve as a starting point to not only enhance friendship between Korea and China, but also to strengthen cooperative relations with countries across Asia."

President Xi responded, "It is deeply meaningful to visit Gyeongju again after 16 years. I still remember the warm welcome during my last visit. It is very significant that the APEC Summit is being held in Gyeongju, a city rich in a thousand years of history and culture."

This welcoming event was a key part of the APEC Summit schedule and is being evaluated as an opportunity to showcase Gyeongju's historical and cultural prestige to the international community and to establish its image as a 'city of hospitality' among world leaders.

However, at the request of the Chinese government, no photographs were taken during the welcoming ceremony.

Meanwhile, as delegations continue to visit Gyeongju during the APEC Summit, the city is gaining attention as a global center for culture and tourism.

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