Jiang Chaoliang (R), Jilin governor, meeting with Suh Byung-soo, Pusan mayor, in Changchun, on June 3 [Photo by Jiao Shuman/ chinajilin.com.cn]

The mayor of the city of Pusan, in the Republic of Korea, Suh Byung-soo, paid a visit to Jilin province, on June 3, where he was welcomed by the provincial governor, Jiang Chaoliang, who mentioned the recent signing of the China-South Korea free trade agreement as marking a higher level of economic and trade cooperation and said that the meeting was perfectly timed.

Jiang also invited the guests to come take part in the 10th China-Northeast Asia Expo, which takes place in the provincial capital, Changchun, Sept 1 -?6, for which Suh thanked Jilin's warm welcome and said that Pusan would make full use of the opportunity to strengthen ties, increase cooperation with Northeast China, and promote mutual benefits.

Jiang went on to say that the two parties need to build long-term relations in trade, science and technology, environmental protection and tourism, and noted that, to do this, they badly need a rail and water transportation system that uses Jilin's geographical advantages as a coastal area and its friendship with Korea.