APEC Stories: The sister-city bond between Beijing and Seoul

Editor's note: The 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Gyeongju, South Korea, on October 31 and November 1. CGTN's "APEC Stories" series will showcase cooperation and culture of the 21 APEC economies through visual storytelling.

Beijing and Seoul, the capitals of China and South Korea, have shared a sister-city bond since 1993 – a partnership that has flourished for more than 30 years through active exchange and cooperation.

Rich in history and culture, Beijing is the world's first dual Olympic city, having hosted both the 2008 Summer and 2022 Winter Games. Meanwhile, Seoul, also steeped in history, hosted the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. The two capitals share deep cultural roots and a common drive for innovation.

Over the decades, their cooperation has expanded across economy, trade, technology and culture. In 2013, they established the Beijing–Seoul Joint Committee to further deepen collaboration in diverse fields.

This May, the "Hello, Beijing" tourism and cultural promotion event brought a flavor of Beijing to Seoul, showcasing the city's vibrant culture and travel appeal while further fostering connections between the two capitals.