On May 19, the Hainan International Media Center (HIMC) and FTP+ Relaunch Ceremony was held at Hainan Broadcasting Station in Haikou. At the ceremony, Chen Shuhuan, CEO of HIMC, and Kong Dai In, CEO of Korean Central Television (KCTV) Jeju, signed an cooperation agreement online, marking the official start of the international communication project between sister provinces.

Hainan International Media Center (HIMC) and Korean Central Television (KCTV) Jeju sign an cooperation agreement online on May 19. [Photo by HIMC]

According to the agreement, the two sides will strengthen exchanges and cooperation in content production, columns promotion, platform sharing and other in-depth interaction. By introducing to each other the cultural, tourism and economic information through various forms of communication, the cooperation aims to enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the 27th anniversary of the sisterhood relations between Hainan Province and Jeju Province. The signing of the agreement shows HIMC and KCTV Jeju's determination to provide a connecting bridge through media and to forge the people-to-people bond of the two provinces.

Hainan is an important window of China's opening up to the outside world, and the development of the free trade port (FTP) with Chinese characteristics in Hainan is a major strategic decision made by the Chinese central government. HIMC is a major international communication agency of the Hainan FTP. 

Jeju, as a special self-governing province in ROK, is currently working to develop into an international metropolis and tourist resort center in Northeast Asia. KCTV Jeju is the main broadcasting and communication media company in Jeju.