TCS

The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) announced the launch of the “CJK Word of the Year 2026” voting campaign, co-hosted with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK MOFA). This annual initiative aims to promote mutual understanding and cultural affinity among the peoples of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea by selecting a symbolic word that best represents trilateral cooperation. The online voting will be open from October 20 to November 20, 2025. Citizens of the three countries can choose one out of six candidate —Mutual Benefit (互惠/互惠/호혜), Friendship (友好/友好/우호), Trust (信赖/信頼/신뢰), Understanding (理解/理解/이해), Embracement (包容/包容/포용), and Promotion·Acceleration (促进/促進/촉진)—and the selected “CJK Word of the Year 2026” will be officially announced on January 1, 2026.For more information on how to participate in the campaign, please visit the official voting website (https://cjkword.tcs-asia.org/). After the voting period concludes, selected participants will receive giveaway prizes through a lucky draw.In the previous campaign, “Future (未来/미래)” was chosen as the CJK Word of the Year 2025, reflecting people’s common wish to build a hopeful future together. The selection carried special meaning as it coincided with the “2025–2026 Year of China-Japan-Korea Cultural Exchange.” In 2024, the word “Exchange (交流/교류)” was selected, and in 2023, “Harmony (和合/화합)” was chosen.Marking its fourth edition this year, the “CJK Word of the Year” campaign has become one of TCS’s signature public projects, encouraging communication and mutual understanding among citizens of the three countries through the Chinese characters. TCS will continue to promote friendship and cooperation among the peoples of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea by fostering shared values that bridge cultures and borders.

On 14 November 2025, Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) visited Chung-Ang University (CAU) to deliver a special lecture on recent APEC outcomes and the latest developments in Trilateral Cooperation.Prior to the lecture, DSG Yan paid a courtesy visit to CAU President PARK Sang-gue. Both sides exchanged views on enhancing academic and youth exchanges among higher education institutions in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. DSG Yan underscored that strengthened trilateral educational cooperation, ranging from CAMPUS Asia and other mobility programs to emerging-sector talent development, aligns closely with the expectations expressed by the leaders of the three countries at the 9th Trilateral Summit. President Park shared CAU’s commitment to expanding international engagement and expressed the university’s willingness to cooperate with the TCS.▲President Park Sang-gue and DSG YAN LiangFollowing the meeting, DSG Yan delivered a special lecture to CAU students and faculty, entitled “Cooperation among China, Japan and Korea under the APEC framework.” During the lecture, he introduced the key outcomes of the latest APEC Leaders’ Meeting, including collective efforts on inclusive growth and digital transformation. He also provided an overview of recent progress in Trilateral Cooperation. He further introduced flagship TCS initiatives—such as the Young Ambassador Program, Trilateral Youth Summit, and CAMPUS Asia Alumni Network—encouraging students to participate in programs designed to foster cross-border understanding and cultivate the next generation of regional leaders. The lecture concluded with a Q&A session, where participants engaged in discussions on youth engagement and prospects for future cooperation among the three countries.▲Group Photo

On November 12, 2025, the Crested Ibis Local Government Summit was successfully held in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, bringing together approximately 60 participants, including mayors, government officials, and experts from China, Japan, and the ROK.The Summit was hosted by Sado City, co-hosted by Niigata Prefecture and the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Niigata, with the Ministry of the Environment of Japan participating as an observer. The program featured an opening ceremony, followed by Session 1 on local initiatives, Session 2 with keynote speeches and best practice presentations, Session 3 as a panel discussion, and finally the adoption of the Summit Declaration.Participating local governments included Yang County, Yancheng City, and Qianyang County from China; Sado City, Ishikawa Prefecture, and Izumo City from Japan; and Changnyeong County from the ROK, etc. These local authorities have been carrying out initiatives aimed at the reintroduction of the Crested Ibis into the wild.Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) attended the Summit and delivered remarks at the opening ceremony. In his speech, SG LEE highlighted that the Crested Ibis has evolved from a joint conservation effort into a symbol of friendship and shared prosperity among China, Japan, and the ROK, and further into a new model for international cooperation. He noted that collaboration centered on the Crested Ibis has expanded across diverse fields—including science, culture, sports, and environmental education—contributing not only to biodiversity preservation but also to the economic vitality and quality of life of local communities.He underscored the importance of integrating the concept of the “eco-economy”—linking environmental conservation with sustainable local development—and called on the three countries to build a trilateral ecological economic belt as a model for global sustainable growth. SG LEE also reflected on the deeper meaning of trilateral cooperation, emphasizing that the three countries are “partners in the same boat”, sharing the spirit of coexistence, co-prosperity, and a common destiny amid global uncertainties.By connecting local governments from the three countries under a common vision, the Summit once again demonstrated the spirit of trilateral friendship and practical cooperation.▲SG LEE delivering his remarks▲Group photo

On November 7, 2025, a delegation from the Institute of Asian Studies, China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU), led by Acting Director Ms. YANG Yue, paid a visit to the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS). TCS Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji warmly welcomed the delegation.DSG ZUSHI highlighted the long-standing partnership between TCS and CFAU under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and commended CFAU’s active support for TCS initiatives and its substantial contributions to advancing trilateral cooperation, particularly in areas such as youth exchanges and policy coordination. He also recognized CFAU’s important role as the Chinese focal point of the Network of Trilateral Cooperation Think-Tanks (NTCT) and reaffirmed TCS’s commitment to supporting CFAU’s continued efforts in NTCT.Acting Director YANG expressed her appreciation for TCS’s support and recalled the successful cooperation between the two organizations through programs such as NTCT, the internship program, and the 2023 Trilateral Youth Summit. She briefed DSG ZUSHI on CFAU’s recent work and progress related to NTCT and looked forward to TCS’s ongoing support. She also expressed expectations to further strengthen cooperation with TCS under the MOU and explore new opportunities for collaboration and exchange.▲Group Photo