Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang province has emerged as a vital waypoint in Busan's decade-long journey of deepening regional cooperation across oceans, industries, and cultures.

At the recent 2025 Maritime Silk Road Port Cooperation Forum, former Vice Mayor of Busan and current Executive Vice President of Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jung Hyun-min, returned to Ningbo. Jung, a long-time advocate for Busan-Ningbo ties, has played a key role in facilitating intercity agreements and partnerships since 2011.

"Busan and Ningbo share the same sea," he said. "In South Korea, we call it the West Sea; in China, the East China Sea. We share the same ecosystem and must work together to protect and utilize it."

Jung believes that now is the right time to elevate Busan-Ningbo relations into a more institutionalized cooperation model. As global dynamics shift and city-level diplomacy gains urgency, he emphasized the importance of decentralizing international collaboration.

"We need to move from government-led efforts to society-wide co-creation," he noted.

One of Jung's boldest proposals is the launch of a passenger and freight ferry route between Busan and Ningbo Zhoushan Port — currently only connected via container lines. According to his research, this route could slash delivery times for key markets like Yiwu-Seoul from 13 to three hours, while cutting logistics costs by over 50 percent. He suggested establishing a joint business council to fast-track practical steps like operator selection and permit approvals.

Jung also advocated for greater cultural exchange through youth programs, joint exhibitions, and creative content collaborations.

"Economic ties may build structure," he said, "but cultural exchange builds trust."