China, Japan, ROK to strengthen trilateral cooperation

China, Japan, ROK to strengthen trilateral cooperation as the Foreign Ministers of three countries met in Tokyo.

China has expressed its readiness to collaborate with Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to advance trilateral cooperation under the evolving global landscape, making it more stable, resilient, and mature, according to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made these remarks at the 11th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where he met with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and ROK Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul.

Emphasizing the significance of trilateral cooperation, Wang stated that the China-Japan-ROK partnership is one of the most institutionalized and promising frameworks in East Asia. Over the past two decades, it has yielded fruitful results, benefiting not only the three nations but also promoting regional stability and economic integration.

With collective efforts, new advancements have been made in the six priority areas set during the Ninth China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Summit. Wang underscored that stronger cooperation among the three nations enhances their ability to navigate risks, strengthens their economic development, and fosters deeper mutual understanding.

Highlighting that 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of both the founding of the United Nations and the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Wang stressed the importance of historical reflection to ensure a better future.

He urged the three nations to adhere to the principle of “facing history squarely and looking to the future,” strengthening cooperation to create synergies greater than the sum of their individual contributions, ultimately benefiting the region and the world.

Wang compared geopolitical challenges to unpredictable weather, stressing that resilience in the face of adversity is essential for sustained trilateral cooperation. He emphasized that mutual respect, effective conflict management, and consensus-building are crucial for fostering stable bilateral and trilateral relations.

As a first step, Wang advocated for deeper economic and trade ties, proposing the early resumption of negotiations on the China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Agreement. He also suggested launching a trilateral dialogue mechanism on export controls to ensure supply chain stability.

Secondly, Wang emphasized the need to enhance technological innovation as a new driver of economic growth. He encouraged open and collaborative innovation, proposed establishing a trilateral digital economy dialogue, and welcomed Japan and the ROK’s participation in China’s planned China-Japan-ROK Innovation Cooperation Center.

Thirdly, he called for expanding cultural and people-to-people exchanges to strengthen public support for trilateral ties. He proposed increasing the number of exchanges to 40 million by 2030 and promoting initiatives like the “Culture City of East Asia” and “CAMPUS Asia” to preserve East Asia’s cultural heritage and foster stronger ties.

Fourthly, Wang highlighted the need for collaboration on common challenges and sustainable development. He advocated deeper cooperation in areas such as healthy aging, healthcare, renewable energy, environmental protection, disaster management, law enforcement, and counterterrorism.

Given the accelerating global challenges, Wang stressed that China, Japan, and the ROK, as key players in the Asia-Pacific, must uphold free trade, protect multilateral trade frameworks, and promote an open and inclusive global economy. He also called for increased regional cooperation, particularly with ASEAN, and proposed more “China-Japan-ROK+” initiatives to drive East Asia’s growth.

He emphasized the importance of a new security framework that is comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable. He urged the three nations to embrace regional self-reliance and take ownership of Asia’s future to ensure lasting peace and stability.

During the meeting, the foreign ministers discussed key regional and global issues, preparing for the upcoming 10th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Summit. They agreed to sustain momentum in trilateral cooperation, enhance practical initiatives in priority areas, and explore new avenues for collaboration while maintaining continuity.

The three sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges, deepening mutual trust, expanding cooperation in diverse fields, and achieving tangible results that benefit both their nations and the broader region.