对韩经贸合作，“近水楼台”的威海怎样“再得月”？

Core Viewpoint - Weihai, a coastal city in China, is leveraging its geographical proximity to South Korea to enhance economic cooperation and transform into a comprehensive hub for trade and logistics in Northeast Asia [1][2]. Group 1: Geographical and Historical Context - Weihai is the closest Chinese city to South Korea, with five major shipping routes, making it a key player in Sino-Korean trade [1]. - The city has a historical connection with South Korea, dating back to the opening of the first shipping route in 1990, two years before the formal diplomatic relations were established [1]. Group 2: Economic Cooperation and Strategic Initiatives - South Korea is Weihai's largest trading partner, accounting for 26.4% of the city's total import and export volume, and over half of the foreign investment comes from South Korea [1]. - The establishment of the China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement in 2015 has positioned Weihai and Incheon as local economic cooperation demonstration zones, fostering institutional innovation [1]. Group 3: Logistics and Trade Integration - Weihai has implemented a "Four Ports Linkage" strategy to enhance connectivity between sea and air transport, significantly reducing logistics costs by 30% and improving delivery times by 5 hours [3]. - The city has hosted the Korea (Shandong) Import Commodity Expo for five consecutive years, maintaining a leading position in trade volume with South Korea [3]. Group 4: Challenges and Market Dynamics - Traditional trade models are facing challenges due to increased competition from domestic manufacturing and changing consumer preferences among younger generations in China [4]. - Weihai's strategy includes direct supply to major retailers, reducing retail prices by approximately 30% to remain competitive [4]. Group 5: Cultural and Human Exchange - Cultural exchanges are vital for economic cooperation, with initiatives like the Incheon Pavilion providing one-stop services for Korean businesses entering China [6][7]. - Weihai has established international schools and healthcare collaborations with South Korean institutions, enhancing cultural ties and mutual understanding [6]. Group 6: Future Development Strategies - Weihai aims to transition from a trade corridor to a comprehensive hub by focusing on high-value sectors such as R&D and supply chain management [8]. - The city is seeking to establish itself as a preferred platform for South Korea-China cooperation through innovative institutional frameworks and enhanced connectivity [8][9].