2025.08.24
On the afternoon of September 23, 2025, the 4th China–Korea ESG Public Diplomacy Forum was held in Seoul, South Korea, organized by the Korea Institute for International Cultural Exchange, the Embassy of China in South Korea, and E-DAILY Korea, with co-organization support from the Grandview Institution. This year’s forum brought together leading Chinese and Korean enterprises, including Huawei, CATL, Tencent, LG New Energy, and Samsung Electronics, focusing on three core objectives: standard co-development, technological empowerment, and industry–finance synergy. The forum aimed to strengthen economic cooperation, expand mutual market access, and enhance bilateral investment opportunities.
Against the backdrop of the global ESG wave and China’s high-quality development strategy, ESG practice has become a key issue for corporate internationalization and national image building. Current international ESG standards present adaptation challenges for China’s development stage, and Chinese enterprises urgently need to use public diplomacy platforms to communicate their sustainability stories. Since the end of 2022, the ESG Public Diplomacy Forum has continuously provided innovative ideas, helping Chinese and Korean enterprises recognize the importance of ESG management and plan sustainable practices, thereby laying a foundation for long-term, sustainable economic growth and enhancing global market competitiveness.
Keynote addresses at the forum were delivered by Fang Kun, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Korea; Ko Myung-jin, President of the Korean Youth Organization Association; and Dr. Parlindungan Purda, Member of the Bilateral Committee, Indonesian–Korean Chamber of Commerce. They shared guidance on advancing sustainable economic cooperation between China and Korea.
Ren Libo, President of the Grandview Institution, delivered a keynote speech, noting that both the Chinese and Korean economies are at a critical stage of development, influenced by international technological competition, structural changes in global markets, and insufficient domestic and external economic momentum due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized that China is actively seeking to repair and improve China–Korea relations, and that enterprises from both countries could expand cooperation in the ESG field, leveraging complementary strengths to jointly explore third-party markets and southern markets. Grandview Institution expressed its willingness to support China–Korea enterprise collaboration through joint research, exchange platforms, and training programs, helping companies seize opportunities and deepen cooperation.
The forum also featured industry-specific sessions on the future of public diplomacy and ESG management, with presentations from Jianghe Group, Ya’an Yacha Group, Dankook University, CARBON KOREA, Bolun Law Firm, MICO POWER, and LG ENERGY SOLUTION, among others. These sessions highlighted practical ESG initiatives across industries and demonstrated how enterprises can pursue sustainable development while contributing to public diplomacy.
Additionally, the forum hosted the signing of memoranda of understanding between institutions on topics such as Korean film investment in China and sports and cultural exchanges.
In his closing remarks, Former Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, Chair of the Operations and Public Diplomacy Practice Committee, emphasized that ESG is a vital diplomatic resource. He noted that Korea’s K-pop culture has significantly enhanced national influence in the global market, boosting sectors such as cosmetics, beauty, and food. He further stressed that energy is at the core of cutting-edge industries, and ESG represents not only regulatory compliance but also a driver for new markets and sustainable growth. The valuable insights provided by participating Chinese and Korean multinational enterprises infused the forum with innovative vitality and forward-looking ideas for ESG development.