A group of more than 20 journalists from 12 major South Korean media outlets embarked on a fact-finding trip to report on the development of Yantai during June 23 - 25.

The event, entitled "Discover Yantai", was a joint effort from China Daily and Yantai municipal government and was orchestrated to mark the first anniversary of the Sino-ROK Free Trade Agreement.

So, what is Yantai like in the eyes of the ROK journalists? How do they view the exchanges in terms of economy, trade and culture, between China and South Korea?

Im Chaeyeon, a journalist from JoongAng Ilbo. [Photo by Wang Qian/ China Daily]

"Yantai is a clean and beautiful city," said Im Chaeyeon, a journalist from JoongAng Ilbo. She added that it was staggering to find that there were so many exchanges between Yantai and South Korea, and she hoped that greater achievements would be made in terms of economic and trade cooperation between the two.

Sin Dongjoo, a correspondent from the Segye Times. [Photo/ All of the news]

Sin Dongjoo, a correspondent from The Segye Times, noted that cultural exchanges were of paramount importance in the cooperation between Yantai and South Korea. He also said that exchanges with regard to material manifestation and technology in the animation industry would help to promote their development in both areas.

Lee Eunjeong, a reporter from Korea Industry Post. [Photo by Wang Qian/ China Daily]

"It is not hot here in summer and the food here is delicious," said Lee Eunjeong of Korea Industry Post, who spoke highly of the city.

She said that it was great that cooperation and exchanges in multiple forms had been carried out between Yantai and South Korea in recent years. She also called for a focus on the distinctive features of particular industry or products in public promotion, in a bid to ensure that the economic and cultural exchanges deliver better results.

Yun Eunsook from AJU News. [Photo/ All of the news]

"I was totally mesmerized by Yantai and I really hope that I might be able to even live here for some time," said Yun Eunsook, a reporter from AJU News. She also noted that the visit to Yantai had benefited her with a better understanding of the close relationship between Yantai and South Korea. She was certain that the Hua’an International Korean Town, to be completed within 10 years, would bring mutual benefits to both areas.

Jo Myeonggwon, president of Koreaxh, is interviewed by Yantai media. [Photo by Wang Qian/ China Daily]

Jo Myeonggwon, president of Koreaxh, said that he was impressed by the great importance attached by the Yantai Municipal government to to the China-ROK Industrial Park. He also noted that there was still a lot of room for mutual cooperation in terms of economy, trade and culture as Yantai and South Korea have similar climates and geographical locations. "ROK is becoming increasingly dependent on China and numerous entrepreneurs are either seeking business opportunities or expanding their business in China," he added.