A foreign delegation from the consulate generals of South Korea, Japan and Thailand in Qingdao as well as business representatives from the three countries arrived in Jinan, East China's Shandong province on Feb 13. 

The delegation visited Jinan Innovation Park and Inspur Group and spoke highly of Jinan's achievements in the new materials sector and its great potential for boosting cutting-edge industries. 

Li Zicheng, the deputy mayor of Jinan city met with the delegation and had an in-depth exchange for further cooperation. 

Li said that Jinan has entered a period of high-quality development. A series of projects under construction will provide a platform for investors from across the world to invest in the city, such as a central business district project and the Jinan international medical science center project. 

Park Jin Woong, the consul general of the South Korea consulate general in Qingdao, expressed his wishes to further promote Sino-Korean cooperation after touring Jinan Innovation Park. 

He expressed that South Korea has great advantages in developing the ICT medical industry and cultural industry which can also seek cooperation with Shandong province to a great extent.

Organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong Provincial People's Government, the activity aims to lure more foreign investment and promote international cooperation to fuel the shift of growth drivers from old to new ones. 

Shandong province has great potential in further cooperation with South Korea, Japan and Thailand. In 2018 Shandong's import and export value with South Korea, Japan and Thailand  reached 193.46 billion yuan ($28 billion), 147 billion yuan and 49.25 billion yuan respectively. 

Accordingly, the added value of high-tech industries in Shandong province grew by 9.6 percent in 2018. A total of 19 national key laboratories have been set up. It also boasts 36 national engineering technology research centers and 181 state-level enterprise technology centers. 

In 2019, the Shandong government aims to deepen partnership with the three countries in the field of high-end manufacturing equipment, electronic information, new energy, new materials, the chemical industry, modern business and healthcare sectors.