On April 19, 2012, Vice President Xi Jinping met with Governor of the ROK's Jeollanam province Park Joon-yung, also president of the ROK Governors' Association, at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi noted that vigorous exchanges among local governments have played an important role in facilitating bilateral ties. Xi recalled meetings with Park while working for local governments in Zhejiang province and the city of Shanghai and hailed their joint efforts for pushing forward friendly exchanges between Zhejiang province and the city of Shanghai and the ROK's Jeollanam province. He expressed hope that Park, as president of the ROK Governors' Association, will make greater contributions to bilateral exchanges and cooperation at local levels.

Xi said China and the ROK are important close neighbors with a long history of friendly exchanges. He hailed the substantial progress of China-ROK relations since the forging of diplomatic ties 20 years ago, citing remarkable cooperation in trade, culture and other areas. This has not only brought tangible benefits to both peoples, but also has made important contributions to regional peace, stability and development, he said. The vice president said the opportunities facing both nations in today's world outweigh the challenges. "This offers opportunity to the world and the region, as well as both countries," he said. Xi hailed the sound growth momentum of China-ROK relations and vowed to make joint efforts with the ROK to make the China-ROK Friendly Exchange Year a full success so as to push forward bilateral strategic cooperative partnership.

Park said he is ready to continue playing a positive role in expanding friendly cooperation, especially cooperation at local levels and promoting bilateral ties.