INCHEON — The In-China Forum, marking its 10th anniversary, has established itself as a leading platform linking South Korea and China. After starting as an economic cooperation channel between local governments, it has broadened into a venue for exchange encompassing companies, experts and young people, and is now expanding into cooperation on future industries such as artificial intelligence, energy and cultural content.
Incheon Metropolitan City held the "2026 In-China Forum International Conference" jointly with the Chinese Embassy in Seoul at Songdo Convensia on the 8th. The event, in its 10th year, drew about 500 participants including political and business figures, experts and young people from both countries.
The In-China Forum was launched in 2016, following the signing of the Korea-China free trade agreement in 2015 and the designation of Incheon and Weihai in Shandong Province as pilot cities for local economic cooperation. It has since widened its network to major Chinese cities including Tianjin and Qingdao, and has maintained exchanges in the economic and industrial fields in partnership with the Incheon Economic and Trade Representative Office in China. Even as relations between the central governments have shifted, the forum has kept its role as a communication channel connecting local governments and companies, expanding its standing as a platform for exchange between the two countries.
The forum has moved beyond policy and academic exchange into practical business cooperation between companies. This year's business matchmaking session, organized by the Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, brought together 60 Incheon companies and 25 Chinese companies for one-on-one meetings to explore export and investment opportunities.
Going forward, the forum plans to expand cooperation from traditional manufacturing and trade into advanced future industries. This year's forum set three main agenda items: AI transformation (AX), green transformation (GX) and cultural content transformation (CX). The plan is to build cooperation networks with Shenzhen and Hangzhou in AI and semiconductors, with Guangzhou and Chongqing in offshore wind power and energy supply chains, and with Shanghai and Chengdu in culture and content.
"The In-China Forum has been a national platform for exchange that has designed the future of Korea and China over the past 10 years," Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae said. "We will lead cooperation on new industries with key Chinese cities, centered on 'ABC+E' — artificial intelligence, bio, content and energy — the core industries of the ninth popularly elected administration."
