Local leaders from China, Russia, Mongolia, and South Korea have agreed to boost regional cooperation in Northeast Asia.

According to the Changchun Declaration published at the 19th GTI (Greater Tumen Initiative) Intergovernmental Consultative Committee Ministerial Meeting in Changchun, capital of Northeast China’s Jilin province, on Aug 22, local governments emphasized the positive role of GTI as a medium-and long-term strategic convergence platform for all countries in the Tumen River region, and reaffirmed the commitment of all parties to jointly build a free and open regional trade and investment environment.

“Sharing development opportunities and building an open Northeast Asian economic circle” is the slogan for the 19th GTI Intergovernmental Consultative Committee Ministerial Meeting, where attendees discussed strengthening regional trade and investment cooperation, promoting regional economic integration in Northeast Asia, and promoting inclusive regional growth.

Three dialogues on opening Northeast Asian trade and investment, pursuing green, inclusive, and sustainable development in Northeast Asia, and further connecting Northeast Asian infrastructure were also held.

GTI delegates attended a meeting between local leaders, including Wang Shouwen, Deputy Minister of Commerce of China and deputy representative of international trade negotiations, and Wu Jingping, Standing Committee Member of the Jilin Provincial Party Committee and executive vice governor of Jilin province.

Wang Shouwen delivered a speech saying that in the 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, particularly in the past 40 years of reform and opening up, China has been making strategic plans to deepen reform and further opening-up.

China hopes to work with GTI members to continue promoting the liberalization and facilitation of regional trade and investment, enhance regional cross-border infrastructure, strengthen tourism cooperation, agriculture, and the private sector, promote communication, and encourage GTI to become an independent international organization.

Jilin Vice Governor Wu Jingping affirmed the role of GTI as an important regional cooperation platform and briefed attendees on the work Jilin has done with GTI at the meeting.

Wu also proposed further promoting regional cooperation in Northeast Asia by giving full play to Jilin province’s role as an old industrial center and the country's most important grain commodity center, and taking advantage of its coastal areas, natural resources, and strength in science and education.

GTI began as the Tumen River Area Development Programme in 1995. It is a cooperation program involving four northeast Asian countries and its goal is to improve relations and dialogues among China, Mongolia, South Korea, and Russia. It also has the support of the United Nations Development Programme.

GTI holds regular meetings with officials at an annual conference in Changchun to discuss security matters in the region.

The purpose of the meeting is to promote international cooperation in the Tumen River region, which is located between China and North Korea, and to help incorporate Jilin's socioeconomic development with the overall initiative.