Expo opens new opportunities for China-South Korea business cooperation

The 2026 Korea Business Expo Shenzhen concluded Oct. 10, reporting US$486 million in export negotiations and opening new opportunities for cooperation between Chinese and South Korean businesses.

The two-day event, held at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, brought together nearly 300 Chinese and South Korean companies across 11 industries and attracted more than 20,000 visits. It was the first World-OKTA trade expo to be held in China.

A roundtable dialogue during the China-ROK Young Entrepreneurs Exchange and Cooperation Forum, held as part of the 2026 Korea Business Expo Shenzhen. Photos courtesy of event organizer

Statistics from nearly 200 South Korean companies showed that the expo generated more than 3,100 business meetings and US$486 million in export negotiations. Participants also signed 110 letters of intent for cooperation worth a combined US$30 million and concluded 10 contracts totaling US$100.2 million.

Beyond immediate transactions, the expo highlighted opportunities to combine South Korea’s strengths in product design, branding and precision manufacturing with Shenzhen’s supply chains, e-commerce platforms and innovation ecosystem.

Lin Hui, president of the Shenzhen Chamber of Commerce, said Shenzhen offered more than access to a large market. Its integrated network connecting design, prototyping, manufacturing, livestreaming, logistics, payments and capital enabled businesses to respond quickly to market demand.

She proposed exploring partnerships that combine Shenzhen’s business environment with South Korean products, South Korean brands with Shenzhen’s sales channels, and Shenzhen technologies with World-OKTA’s global Korean business network. She also called for more exchanges, joint pitching events and collaborative projects involving young entrepreneurs and startups.

World-OKTA President Park Jong-bum speaks during the closing ceremony of the expo.

World-OKTA President Park Jong-bum said Shenzhen demonstrated how manufacturing, branding, distribution, investment and startup development could be connected efficiently. World-OKTA hopes to establish regular links with Shenzhen business associations, industrial parks and investors to better match the needs of South Korean companies with opportunities in China and the GBA.

Cooperation also extended to advanced industries. Chungcheongbuk-do Gov. Shin Yong-han said the South Korean province, known for semiconductors and secondary batteries, hoped to learn more about China’s technological development and explore complementary opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Chungnam Content Agency and Shenzhen Enterprise Service Group signed a memorandum of understanding to support startups seeking international expansion. Cooperation will include market entry, business matchmaking, local branding, pilot projects and entrepreneur training.