The Secretariat delegation led by Secretary General Kim visited Shandong Province and Tianjin City, China to take part in the Sub-Committee on Ocean & Fisheries and visit observers on November 5-9. Secretary General Kim expressed his gratitude for Shandong’s endeavor to develop ocean and fisheries of Northeast Asia and NEAR delivering the congratulatory address at the 3rd Sub-Committee on Ocean & Fisheries held in Qingdao City of Shandong, The Secretariat delegation that finished their trip in Qingdao City of Shandong, headed for Tianjin City, an observer of NEAR, and had interview with Director General Wang Shuhua of Tianjin Municipal Foreign Affairs Office. Secretary General Kim encouraged Tianjin City to join NEAR while briefly introducing NEAR and Director General Wang expressed strong desire to join NEAR showing his willingness to give Mayor Huang Xingguo of Tianjin City an encouragement letter to join NEAR prepared by the NEAR Secretariat. In addition, with the invitation of Vice President Yang Long of Zhou Enlai School of Government, Nankai University located in Tianjin City, the Secretariat visited Tianjin New Coastal District and Planning Exhibition Center as well as the University on 8th. Tianjin, one of the 4 cities under the direct control of China, has been interacting with NEAR since they participated in the Working Committee 2007 in Shandong Province. Moreover, as a member of OEAED, the city actively participates in interregional government exchange promoting cooperation projects with 10 cities on the Yellow sea.