TCS

On December 15, 2024, the 17th Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting(THMM) was held in Tokyo, Japan. Chaired by Minister FUKUOKA Takamaro of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan, the Meeting was attended by Vice Minister PARK Minsoo of Ministry of Health and Welfare of the ROK, Minister LEI Haichao of National Health Commission of China, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Saia Ma’u Piukala, and Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup of Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat. In his remarks, SG LEE highlighted the critical role of health cooperation and addressing demographic challenges, such as low birth rates and aging societies, as priority areas identified at the 9th Trilateral Summit. He emphasized the need for closer collaboration among public health institutions, building on the "Joint Statement on Future Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response" adopted during the Summit. The meeting agenda focused on three key themes: 1) Ensuring Public Health Security, 2) Promoting Healthy Ageing, 3) Building More Resilient, Equitable, and Sustainable Health Systems to Achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Within these themes, the three ministers shared policy experiences addressing global health crises such as emerging infectious diseases and population aging. The discussions highlighted the need for enhanced multilayered cooperation to ensure health security in the Asia-Pacific region.The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Joint Statement of the 17th Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting, reaffirming the countries’ commitment to collaboration. The ministers also signed the updated Memorandum of Cooperation and Joint Action Plan, prioritizing the efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics and infectious diseases of mutual concern with significant potential impacts.Since its inception in 2006, the Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting has served as a cornerstone of trilateral health cooperation. The next meeting, the 18th, is scheduled to be held in Korea in 2025.▲Group Photo▲SG Lee delivering remarks▲Joint Press Conference▲Minister Fukuoka and SG Lee

On December 15, 2024, TCS Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang attended the 5th Trilateral Sports Ministers Meeting (TSMM) as an observer. Mrs. ABE Toshiko Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan led the meeting with Mr. ZHANG Jiasheng Vice Minister of General Administration of Sports of China and Mr. CHOI Bo Keun Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of ROK in attendance. The ”2024 Tokyo Joint Statement” has been signed reflecting the shared commitment of the three countries to deepen sports-related cooperation. The statement outlines two core objectives. 1) Promotion of sports exchange and cooperation among the three countries. The three sides will strengthen cooperation and knowledge sharing for upcoming international games, anti-doping, people-to-people exchange for high performance sports, and prevention of harassment toward athletes. They will also continuously support youth exchange through sports in occasions such as the China-Japan-Korea Junior Exchange Games and the China-Japan-Korea Youth Winter Sports Exchange. 2) Enhancement of the socio-economic value of sports among the three countries and Asia.The three countries have shared their commitment to promote health and wellbeing through sports, realize a symbiotic society through para-sports, and develop the sports industry and sports tourism. The three countries agreed to further enhance sports exchange and cooperation for peace and sustainable development among the three countries and the Asian region. The 6th Trilateral Sports Ministers Meeting will be held in 2026 in China.▲Signing of the “2024 Tokyo Joint Statement”▲Minister ABE Toshiko, Vice Minister ZHANG Jiasheng, Deputy Minister CHOI Bo Keun▲Remarks by the ministries▲DSG YAN Liang attending the meeting as an observer

From December 9 to 13, the National Personnel Authority (NPA) held the 16th China-Japan-Korea Joint Training Program for Young/Middle-level Public Employees in Tokyo, Japan. Nine trainees (three each from the China National Civil Service Administration, the NPA and the Korean Ministry of Personnel Management) participated in the program. During the Training Program, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) was invited to deliver a lecture to the participants. The lecture outlined the history and development of trilateral cooperation among the three countries, as well as the background and role of the TCS. Additionally, it provided insights to help participants explore effective communication strategies for collaborating with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds in a cross-cultural setting. First introduced in 2007, the Joint training program aims to foster mutual understanding of the national civil service system and provide international perspectives to young and mid-level officials from the three countries. The next training program is scheduled to be held in China based on the rotation.▲Opening Ceremony▲Lecture Presented by TCS

On December 13, 2024, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup met with Mr. UCHIYAMA Kiyoyuki, Managing Director of Nikkei Inc. SG LEE expressed his gratitude to Mr. UCHIYAMA for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with him. They shared a mutual understanding that trilateral cooperation among China, Japan, and Korea should advance to serve the shared interests of the three countries and contribute to the peace and prosperity of the region. They also exchanged views on constructive measures to promote future-oriented trilateral cooperation, including initiatives such as civilian forums.▲TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup and Mr. UCHIYAMA Kiyoyuki, Managing Director of Nikkei Inc.