TCS

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, 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

On July 9, 2025, Secretary-General of TCS LEE Hee-sup attended the the Opening Ceremony of the Re:Think 2025 Innovation Week – Harnessing Creativity for a Sustainable Future in Chengdu, China. The event was co-organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China with the support from Chengdu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone and China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges. In his remarks, LEE Hee-sup emphasized the critical role of Trilateral Cooperation in addressing global challenges such as climate change, aging populations, and urban sustainability. He highlighted the importance of sustainable urban governance, smart city development, and cultural preservation, especially as cities are home to the majority of the world’s population. Re:Think is UNDP China’s flagship platform for fostering collaboration and global dialogue at the intersection of technology, innovation, and sustainable development. Since its inception in 2020, the week-long event has served as a platform to harness creativity as a catalyst for urban transformation, economic growth, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

On July 7, 2025, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) hosted the 2025 Trilateral Working-Level Consultation Meeting on Disaster Management in Kobe, Japan. Delegations from the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) of China, the Cabinet Office (CAO) of Japan, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) of the Republic of Korea participated in the meeting. The meeting was aimed to strengthen regular communication among working-level officials and promote policy exchange and mutual learning in the field of disaster management. It also served as a platform to review the progress of follow-up measures from past Ministerial Meetings and explore new areas of trilateral cooperation. Mr. ZUSHI Shuji, Deputy Secretary-General of the TCS, delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the TCS’ continued support for enhancing trilateral collaboration in disaster risk reduction and emergency response. The meeting featured two main sessions. In Session 1, delegates from the three ministries presented recent developments and best practices in their respective national disaster management systems. The session highlighted evolving strategies and institutional innovations aimed at building resilience. Session 2 focused on preparations for the upcoming 8th Trilateral Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management, to be hosted by China. Officials discussed key agenda items and potential areas for cooperation, including technology integration, regional training initiatives, and the implementation of past Joint Statements. The meeting concluded with a wrap-up by the three delegations and TCS, reaffirming the importance of sustained working-level dialogue in strengthening trilateral coordination on disaster preparedness and response.▲Group Photo▲DSG ZUSHI giving remarks▲2025 Trilateral Working-Level Consultation Meeting on Disaster Management