On January 5, 2026, witnessed by the heads of state of China and South Korea, Yin Hejun, Minister of Science and Technology, and Bae Kyung-hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT of South Korea, jointly signed the the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea on Jointly Addressing Global Challenges through Scientific and Technological Innovation Cooperation." The two sides will strengthen joint research and expand scientific, technological, and cultural exchanges on issues such as climate change and sustainable development, working together to address global challenges through scientific and technological innovation cooperation.