As the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju approaches, two innovation powerhouses—Nanjing and Daejeon—are celebrating three decades of sister-city spirit. Since formalizing ties in 1994, these cities have ignited cross-border collaboration in technology, education and culture.
Nanjing, a manufacturing and educational hub in the southern Chinese mainland, and Daejeon, the Republic of Korea's epicenter for science and tech breakthroughs, have built bridges beyond geography. Their 2024 memorandum of cooperation laid out fresh roadmaps for joint research, startup incubators and talent exchange programs.
Numbers speak volumes: joint initiatives have grown by 40% over the past five years, while youth-led innovation contests and cultural festivals now attract thousands of participants from both sides. In June, Nanjing's delegation joined the 2024 Daejeon Zero O'clock Festival, a futuristic street fair that showcased drone shows, AI art and sustainable design installations.
Looking ahead, city leaders plan to expand green tech partnerships—leveraging Nanjing's advanced smart grid systems and Daejeon's AI-powered water management solutions. These efforts resonate with global audiences: young entrepreneurs see opportunity in cross-regional labs, and digital nomads are mapping out immersive residencies in both cities.
This sister-city model illustrates how targeted, data-driven collaboration can fuel real-world impact—transforming local innovations into global solutions. As the countdown to the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting ticks on, the Nanjing-Daejeon alliance stands as a living testament to the power of partnership in the Asia-Pacific.
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APEC Stories: Nanjing-Daejeon sister-city bond as innovation hubs
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