TCS

The TCS co-hosted a special session at the 19th Symposium on Disaster Mitigation for Cultural Heritage and Historical Cities held in Kyoto, Japan July 12-13, 2025 The 19th Symposium on Disaster Mitigation for Cultural Heritage and Historical Cities took place on July 12, 2025, at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. Organized annually by the Institute of Disaster Mitigation for Urban Cultural Heritage (R-DMUCH), this year’s symposium was co-hosted by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) in conjunction with the 2025–2026 Year of Cultural Exchange among China, Japan, and Korea. As part of this collaboration, the TCS organized a Special Session for local governments from the three countries, focusing on the restoration and disaster risk reduction of damaged cultural properties and historic cities. The session provided a valuable platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and fostering regional cooperation. Experts, government officials, and practitioners discussed the current state of disasters in their regions and explored strategies to protect cultural heritage and historic urban areas. During the opening session, TCS Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang (opening remarks), YOSHITOMI Shinta, Director of the Institute of Disaster Mitigation for Urban Cultural Heritage at Ritsumeikan University (welcome remarks), and SHIOKAWA Tatsuhiro, Director of the Cultural Resources Utilization Division, Cultural Agency of Japan (congratulatory remarks), delivered remarks emphasizing the significance of joint discussions on disaster prevention for cultural heritage amid the rising frequency of natural hazards. Key presentations were given by Director REN Tao (Xi’an Earthquake Administration, China), Director HARADA Hitoshi (Department of Cultural Property, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan), and Dr. KIM Hyung Suk (Senior Researcher and Head of the Heritage Restoration and Maintenance Team, Foundation of Silla Cultural Heritage Research Institute, Korea), who shared their respective policy measures and initiatives. The session was moderated by OKUBO Takeyuki, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Ritsumeikan University. Following the presentations, UNDRR conducted a workshop on using the Cultural Heritage Scorecard Addendum to help local officials and stakeholders integrate culture-based, people-centered disaster risk reduction and resilience strategies into cultural heritage and development policies. Participants also visited Oiri Co., Ltd., renowned for its expertise in restoring paper-based cultural heritage, and toured Kyoto’s Fushimi area, where they explored culturally significant sites vulnerable to water-related disasters, including the traditional areas along the Horikawa River, the Fushimi Jukkokubune boat routes, and the Kizakura Kappa Factory. The symposium underscored the critical importance of regional cooperation and innovative strategies to protect irreplaceable cultural heritage from natural hazards. It also served to strengthen networks and mutual understanding among the participating countries and institutions, contributing to ongoing efforts to preserve the unique cultural identity of East Asia’s historic cities.▲Opening Remarks by TCS DSG YAN Liang▲Special Session among Local Governments from China, Japan, and Korea on the Restoration and Disaster Reduction of Damaged Cultural Properties and Historic Cities▲UNDRR Workshop▲Group Photo

The 2025 China-Japan-ROK (Friendship Cities) Youth Exchange Month officially commenced on July 11, co-hosted by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) and the Qingdao People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. As the flagship initiative of this year’s Exchange Month, the China-Japan-ROK Friendship Cities College Student Summer Camp was formally launched, bringing together approximately 60 university students from China, Japan, and ROK for four days of in-depth cultural and academic exchange.The Launching Ceremony was attended by Secretary-General LEE Hee-Sup; CUI Zuo, Vice Chairman of the CCPCC Qingdao Committee; SAITO Kenji, Consul-General of Japan in Qingdao; and CHOI Kang-seok, Deputy Consul-General of the Republic of Korea in Qingdao. FAN Qizhi, Director-General of the Qingdao Foreign Affairs Office, announced the eight key exchange activities of the 2025 China-Japan-ROK (Friendship Cities) Youth Exchange Month, which involve primary, secondary, and university students across various fields, including sports, arts, and humanities. LEE Hee-sup underscored the vital role of youth exchanges in fostering mutual understanding, trust, and friendship among the three countries. The Youth Exchange Month serves as a flagship initiative reflecting the shared commitment of the 9th Trilateral Summit to enhancing people-to-people exchange. Addressing the participating students, LEE Hee-sup encouraged them to seize this valuable opportunity to engage with their peers from neighboring countries, build meaningful friendships, and contribute to a more open, inclusive, and cooperative future for Northeast Asia. The “China-Japan-ROK (Friendship Cities) Youth Exchange Month” was initiated in 2024 and is gradually becoming a key flagship program for deepening friendship, promoting mutual understanding, and shaping a shared future among the youth of the three countries.

On July 10, 2025, Secretary-General of TCS LEE Hee-sup met with Foreign Affairs Office of the Qingdao Municipal People’s Government Director-General FAN Qizhi in Qingdao. LEE Hee-sup expressed appreciation for Qingdao’s steadfast support in co-hosting the 2025 China-Japan-ROK Youth Exchange Month, highlighting the initiative as a continuation of successful collaboration following the 2023 International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation held in Qingdao. He further acknowledged Qingdao’s active role as a key hub for trilateral exchange and praised the city’s longstanding commitment to fostering international friendship and youth engagement. FAN Qizhi reaffirmed Qingdao’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the TCS, expressing confidence that the ongoing partnership would further advance people-to-people exchanges and practical collaboration among three countries. He also conveyed Qingdao’s interest in working with the TCS on future initiatives aimed at deepening youth exchange.

On July 10, 2025, TCS Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang attended the Trilateral Media Dialogue and delivered congratulatory remarks during the opening session. This event, hosted by the Institute for Global Strategic Cooperation, was held under the theme “The Future of Trilateral Cooperation: Perspectives and Suggestions from the Media of the Three Countries.” Ms. OH Jin-hee, Deputy-Director-General of the Asia and Pacific Affairs Bureau of ROK MOFA, and Mr. FANG Kun, Deputy Chief and Minister of the Chinese Embassy to the ROK also delivered remarks.In his remarks, DSG YAN emphasized the historical progress and potential of trilateral cooperation, particularly in response to global common challenges. He also underscored the critical role of the media in shaping the future of trilateral relations. He proposed the establishment of regular high-level media exchange, expanded journalist exchange programs, and enhanced engagement through social media to build mutual understanding and cultivate a favorable environment for regional cooperation. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of forging media relationships with local governments and the business sector to narrow information gaps and support local development.The dialogue brought together journalists and media professionals from the three countries for in-depth discussions and exchanges, offering valuable perspectives and proposals to further strengthen trilateral cooperation.▲Group photo▲DSG YAN delivered remarks