China’s geopolitical proximity to Korea and increasing mutual dependence between the two countries resulted in an intimate relationship that makes it impossible to implement future economy, politics, and security-related strategies inconsiderate of each other. 

Exchange between the two countries no longer is limited to that of central governments; local governments, too, have become active in international relations. A representative example would be the relationship between Guangdong Province of China and Gyeonggi-do of Korea. 

Gyeonggi-do has led Korea’s new trend of independent local governing as well as national economic development. Its deepening involvement with Guangdong Province through a cooperative scheme of great economic significance. 

This research studies details of exchange and development of local governments of Korea and China. It presents readers with governance and international interpretation on Gyeonggi’s strategy for local industrial development and Guangdong’s local development. On one hand, the author takes on a macroscopic approach to development environment and the role of government in China as a whole; on the other hand, the research scrutinizes process, characteristics, and prospects of the administration reform in Shenzhen Special Economic Zone of Guangdong in a microscopic approach. 

The publication aims to compare omni-directional exchange and development strategies of local governments of Korea and China. Comparison study of such a nature will facilitate the understanding of strategies and policies of different bodies that promote speedy regionalization. It will also lay the groundwork for the two countries’ advancement. 

Expanded exchange between local governments at the time when that of central governments is discouraged due to the Northeast Asian Project will resolve misunderstandings while enhancing the trust-based relationship.