2025 InChina Forum International Conference

- Special Exhibition “1943, Incheon Chinatown” Draws Attention

- Contributing to the Local Community through Joint Operation of a Leading Public–Private–Academic Cooperation Platform

The Academy of Chinese Studies at Incheon National University successfully co-hosted the 2025 InChina Forum International Conference on September 2 with the Incheon Metropolitan Government, the Incheon Research Institute, and other partners, attracting more than 600 participants both online and offline. Operated jointly by the Academy and key organizations including the City of Incheon, the InChina Forum has established itself as Korea’s largest exchange platform with the Chinese-speaking world as well as a leading public–private–academic cooperation platform, serving as a vital dialogue channel for Korea–China policy.

This year’s conference, held under the theme “An Era of Transition: The World and Korea–China Relations”, was co-hosted by the Incheon Metropolitan Government and the Embassy of China in Korea, and co-organized by seven institutions: the Incheon Research Institute, Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incheon Foundation for Arts and Culture, Incheon Tourism Organization, Incheon Talent & Lifelong Education Promotion Agency, Incheon National University Academy of Chinese Studies, and the Korean Association for Contemporary Chinese Studies. Key programs included the Korea–China Experts Dialogue, the Korea–China Youth Dialogue, and the citizen-participatory smartphone quiz competition INCHINA Golden Bell. In addition, a photo exhibition and promotional booths were held in the lobby, creating a diverse and engaging environment.

The Korea–China Experts Dialogue session, moderated by Professor Jang Jung-ah, Director of the Academy of Chinese Studies at Incheon National University, featured five experts from both countries who discussed shifts in the international order, the future of Korea–China relations, and Incheon’s role, while also fielding questions from young participants. The Korea–China Youth Dialogue, led by Professor Cho Hyung-jin of Incheon National University, showcased presentations from seven university student teams who had won the “Youth Ideas Essay Contest for the Future of Korea–China Relations.” Their proposals ranged from public diplomacy initiatives to innovative ideas for bilateral cooperation, receiving enthusiastic applause.

Meanwhile, the Institute of Chinese and Overseas Chinese Culture within the Academy hosted a special exhibition titled “1943, Incheon Chinatown” in the 2nd floor lobby of Songdo Convensia, the conference venue. The exhibition highlighted the 1943 incident involving Yildonghoe, an anti-Japanese overseas Chinese organization in Incheon, by juxtaposing black-and-white photographs taken by the Incheon Police at the time with present-day images of the same locations more than 80 years later. To facilitate understanding among international participants, the exhibition brochures were distributed in both Korean and Chinese.

2025 InChina Forum International Conference

Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon Metropolitan City, Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming, Park Ho-goon, President of the Incheon Research Institute, and Zhang Shandong, Vice Mayor of Weihai City, attended the exhibition together. Of particular note was the revelation that members of Yildonghoe, an anti-Japanese overseas Chinese organization, were Incheon-based overseas Chinese originally from Shandong Province. Under the guidance of Professor Lee Jeong-hee of the Academy of Chinese Studies, a student research team from the Institute of Chinese and Overseas Chinese Culture produced the Incheon Chinatown Cultural Theme Map. Moving forward, the Academy of Chinese Studies at Incheon National University plans to continue collaborating with various institutions on ways to utilize diverse historical and cultural content.

Professor Jang Jung-ah, Director of the Academy of Chinese Studies, emphasized, “Since its founding in 2016, the InChina Forum has been jointly hosted by the Academy of Chinese Studies at Incheon National University and the City of Incheon as a model public–private–academic platform contributing to the local community. We take great pride in the increasing participation of young people in particular. As the forum celebrates its 10th anniversary next year, we hope to contribute to its further development through a wider range of participants and programs.”