TCS

The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) hosted the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) 2025 on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Tokyo, under the theme “Shaping the Future Together: Navigating Global Complexity through Trilateral Cooperation.” The forum returned to Japan for the first time since 2018, after being suspended during the pandemic. The event attracted more than 200 on-site attendees and several hundred online participants, offering valuable insights into the future of trilateral cooperation. In the opening session, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup emphasized the need to transition from quantitative growth to qualitative progress in trilateral cooperation. He noted that while last year marked the 25th anniversary of trilateral cooperation, next year will mark the 15th anniversary of TCS’s establishment. Acknowledging the complex global challenges jointly faced by China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK)—including geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and rising protectionism—he stressed the importance of collaboration among governments, citizens, media, and think tanks, reaffirming TCS’s commitment to peace, prosperity, and shared culture among the three countries. On-site congratulatory remarks were delivered by H.E. FUJII Hisayuki, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. WU Jianghao, Ambassador of China to Japan, and H.E. PARK Cheol-hee, Ambassador of the ROK to Japan. Keynote speeches followed, delivered by Ms. KAWAGUCHI Yoriko, former Minister of the Environment and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan; Mr. WU Hailong, President of the China Public Diplomacy Association; and Mr. KIM Jin-pyo, Chairman of Global Innovation Studies and former Speaker of the ROK National Assembly. In the two subsequent sessions, high-level officials, diplomats, prominent scholars, and policymakers examined both the structural foundations and practical dimensions of trilateral cooperation. They discussed the rationale for revitalizing trilateral efforts and the institutional frameworks needed to sustain them, while also exploring areas of collaboration that directly affect people’s lives. Session 1, “Revitalizing Regional Connectivity: Institutionalizing Trilateral Cooperation for a Stable and Peaceful Northeast Asia,” explored how the three countries can reinforce the strategic and institutional foundations of cooperation. Speakers underscored the value of holding trilateral summits and ministerial meetings on a regular basis, alongside efforts to strengthen institutional capacity. Key proposals included regularizing dialogue mechanisms, establishing crisis response systems, expanding “CJK + X” cooperation, and empowering TCS. The session also underscored the importance of engaging non-governmental sectors—such as think tanks, media, and academia—to foster mutual trust and promote sustainable peace in the region. Session 2, “Driving Inclusive Growth: In Pursuit of a More Prosperous Northeast Asia amid Global Challenges,” explored pathways to achieving inclusive growth in the context of highly aged societies, the climate crisis and the pursuit of carbon neutrality, and enhanced regional economic cooperation. The speakers emphasized the urgency of climate action and the opportunities presented by green and digital transitions. The session also underscored the importance of regional economic integration and trade frameworks in supporting sustainable development. Closer trilateral cooperation—and collaboration across academic and policy arenas—was recognized as vital to addressing shared challenges and securing long-term resilience and prosperity. Since 2011, the IFTC has served as one of TCS’s flagship annual projects, raising public awareness of trilateral cooperation and providing in-depth policy references to the three governments. The 2025 Forum was supported by major media outlets from the three countries: Asahi Shimbun, People’s Daily, and Chosun Ilbo.▲Group Photo▲Congratulatory Remarks from H.E. FUJII Hisayuki, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan▲Congratulatory Remarks from H.E. WU Jianghao, Ambassador of China to Japan▲Congratulatory Remarks from H.E. PARK Cheol-hee, Ambassador of the ROK to Japan▲Opening Remarks from TCS Secretary-General, LEE Hee-sup▲Keynote Speech by Ms. KAWAGUCHI Yoriko, Former Minister of the Environment and Minister for Foreign Affairs ofJapan▲Keynote Speech by Mr. WU Hailong, President of the China Public Diplomacy Association▲Keynote Speech by Mr. KIM Jin-pyo, Chairman of Global Innovation Studies and former Speaker of the ROK National Assembly▲Session 1 “Revitalizing Regional Connectivity: Institutionalizing Trilateral Cooperation for a Stable and Peaceful Northeast Asia”▲Session 2 “Driving Inclusive Growth: In Pursuit of a More Prosperous Northeast Asia amid Global Challenges”

The 1st 2025 Trilateral Visionary Group (TVG) meeting was successfully held on June 29-30 in Tokyo, Japan. The meeting was co-organized by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), and the Korea Foundation (KF). 14 TVG members from Japan, China, and the ROK had in-depth discussions on the progress, challenges, and opportunities of trilateral cooperation in the political, economic, and socio-cultural areas.The 1st session was themed “Uncertainties and Certainties: Evolving Global Order and the Future of Trilateral Cooperation”. TVG members expressed their appreciation for the positive developments in trilateral cooperation since the previous TVG meeting held in Seoul in November 2024. They emphasized the importance of upholding the principle of seeking common ground while respecting differences. Against the backdrop of rising global and regional challenges, the three countries share the responsibility of fostering greater certainty and confidence for the future of regional peace, stability, and integration. They agreed to continue to uphold the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. They also showed common interest in establishing a consultative mechanism addressing strategic uncertainty in the region.The 2nd session focused on “Balancing Competition and Cooperation: Trilateral Economic Ties Amid Growing Risks”. TVG members voiced shared concerns over external economic and trade-related challenges facing the three countries. They underscored the need to identify new opportunities in emerging sectors and to leverage existing frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and other regional initiatives. TVG members also called for accelerating negotiations on the Trilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a means to unlock greater growth potential and deepen economic integration.The 3rd session discussed “Building Sense of Community: Mutual Perception and Trilateral People-to-People Exchanges”. Participants explored the underlying factors influencing public perceptions among the three countries. They emphasized the significance of frequent and high-quality people-to-people exchanges in enhancing mutual understanding and strengthening positive ties among the peoples of the three countries.The TVG members also exchanged views on the future arrangement and mission of the meeting and agreed to hold the 2nd 2025 TVG meeting in November in China.The 1st 2025 TVG meeting is a follow-up event to the 9th Trilateral Summit, which endorsed the TVG as a platform to bring together eminent figures from the three countries to provide forward-looking proposals aimed at advancing trilateral cooperation.▲Group Photo

On June 26th, 2025, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup attended the 9th East Asian Gateway Cities Policy Forum held in Tianjin, China. The Forum was co-organized by Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences and Incheon Institute, under the theme “Mutual learning among East Asian gateway cities: Cultural heritage and urban renewal”.Secretary-General LEE delivered congratulatory remarks at the opening session, where he stressed that local government exchange plays a critical role in supporting and promoting international cooperation, especially in times of complexity and conflict. He further introduced the works of TCS in promoting urban development and local government exchange, such as the recent Carbon Neutrality Forum on sustainable urban development, the Research Report on CJK Local City Exchange, and the CCEA Influencer Tour in 2023, 2024. The Forum actively discussed the achievements and progress of East Asia’s gateway cities’ (Tianjin, Incheon, and Kobe) mutual learning experience in urban renewal and preserving cultural heritage. In addition, SG LEE had a bilateral meeting with Mr. LUAN Jian Zhang, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Tianjin Municipal People’s Government, to discuss future cooperation opportunities between TCS and Tianjin, especially focusing on Tianjin’s unique position as a hub port city in China. SG LEE emphasized that Tianjin holds a unique position as a hub port city in China, making it an ideal location for trilateral and East Asian cooperation. In this context, Director-General LUAN expressed interest in collaborating with TCS in the future to expand Tianjin’s international cooperation starting with neighboring local governments, and later to the larger region.▲Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup delivering congratulatory remarks at the Forum▲Group photo▲Bilateral meeting with Mr. LUAN Jian Zhang, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Tianjin Municipal People’s Government.

On June 26, 2025, the Working Level Meeting for the 23rd Yellow Sea Rim Economic and Technological Exchange Conference was held in Daejeon. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the ROK, and the Korea-Japan Economic Association. The Embassy of China in the ROK and the Kyushu Economy International (KEI) (comprising Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Kyushu Economic Federation) participated in the meeting.The delegation from the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) delivered a presentation on the publication of the Trilateral Economic Report (TER) and shared future plans regarding the follow-up to the 13th Trilateral Economic and Trade Ministers’ Meeting. Launched in 2001, the Yellow Sea Rim Economic and Technological Exchange Conference has served as a annual platform for the three countries based on the Yellow Sea Rim region for government agencies, local governments, businesses, and research institutions. The forum aims to promote cooperation and explore business opportunities in the fields of trade, investment, technology, and people to people exchange. Marking its 23rd iteration this year, the conference will be held in Daejeon in November under the theme of “Growth and Development of the Yellow Sea Rim Economic Zone: Bio-Healthcare, Science & Technology, and Business Exchange.”▲Meeting in progress▲Group photo