What they say

Editor's note: Business executives, a government official and a school principal were among those who shared their insights into Yantai's ties with the Republic of Korea, Yang Cheng, Zhao Ruixue and Wang Qian report.

"Container throughput from Yantai to the Republic of Korea saw a year-on-year increase of 10 percent during the first half of this year. One more container shipment line was added in the second half of last year to meet the increased needs of businesses."

Huang Shuren, vicepresident of Yantai International Container Terminals Co Ltd

"We are ready to open trainferry services from Yantai to Pyeongtaek. Our train ferry project has the world's leading technologies and has been tested many times to ensure that it is safe. On the Yantai side, we are ready in every respect, based on our previous agreements with the ROK, and we expect the ROK side to officially open their services there to benefit bilateral trade ties."

Liu Jun, general manager of Sinorail Bohai Train Ferry Co Ltd

"Korea Town, run by our company, is expected to take shape as a pioneer of the China-ROK Yantai Industrial Park. It is, in the near future, expected to become the country's largest ROK products' logistics hub and exhibition center as well as the country's largest ROK residential community."

Li Guo'an, president, Huaan Group

"Our company has already benefited significantly from the FTA agreement, to the tune of at least of 1 million yuan ($150,000) since the FTA was launched last year. Doosan has become China's top manufacturer of earth excavators in terms of inventory. Our accumulated sales hit 140,000 units in 2015. In terms of my life here, I think Yantai offers convenient transportation to ROK and improved schooling for my children."

Park Chanhyug, vicepresident, Doosan China

"Yantai's opening-up is on a sound growth trajectory. I learnt that more supportive policies for international schools are in the pipeline. We have set our sights on cementing our foothold by expanding our school into an international school, not only benefiting ROK children but also more children of foreign investors in Yantai."

Kim Changeun, Principal, Korea School in Yantai

"Our community has seen a growing number of new ROK residents. They bring happiness and a colorful lifestyle to our community. During a recent grand summer party, they performed lively modern dances for local residents and received warm applause. We are beefing up efforts to offer more tailor-made services to them. It is our hope that Huanghai Community will become a big international family."

Wang Junwei, director of Huanghai Community in Yantai, a concentration of ROK residents

"The China-ROK Animation Experience Hall, based in our park, opened this May. It is the nation's first animation, gaming, and 3-D interaction experience zone. It has been jointly invested in by Chinese and ROK companies and boasts a strong ROK style. We expect by 2018 that the park will have attracted 500 ROK companies, with annual revenue of 2 billion yuan."

Chu Peisheng, administrative official, Yantai Ad Creative Industry Park

(China Daily 07/07/2016 page12)