Trilateral Cooperation
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Secretariat News
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Seminar & Forum8th NTCT National Focal Points Meeting and 2024 NTCT ConferenceOn 27th March 2024, the 8th Network of Trilateral Cooperation Think-Tanks (NTCT) Conference and 2024 NTCT Conference were held online, hosted by the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA). The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), the China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU) and the Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR) were also in attendance. TCS Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang delivered opening remark and Director YAMAMOTO Tomotsugu delivered closing remark. DSG YAN expressed appreciation to KNDA, CFAU and JFIR for the support extended to trilateral cooperation across various sectors. He commended the diligent efforts of the Working Groups from KNDA, JFIR, and CFAU in overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic in completing their Working Group reports. Furthermore, he looked forward to see continued collaboration among the three organizations in the future. The discussions during the National Focal Points Meeting focused on finalizing Working Group reports related to carbon neutrality, the RCEP, and security cooperation. Following finalization, at the request of the three organizations, the TCS agreed to assist the NTCT in delivering its policy recommendations to the CJK governments. In the afternoon session of the NTCT Conference, participants engaged in comprehensive discussions covering various areas of cooperation, including digital trade and collaboration with the ASEAN. Recognizing the increasingly intricate global landscape which challenges trilateral cooperation, attendees agreed on the necessity for further efforts to foster enhanced dialogue on the role and direction of trilateral cooperation among the three countries. In his closing remark, Director YAMAMOTO thanked experts from three organizations for their insightful discussions and appreciated three organizations’ effort in fostering academic exchange among researchers as well as compilation of the policy recommendation reports by Working Groups. He pointed out that comprehensive discussions were conducted on various areas of cooperation, encompassing digital trade and collaboration with ASEAN, and that insights shared during this conference on CJK cooperation were very thought-provoking and offered valuable inspirations and guidance for TCS’s future endeavors. The NTCT has been promoting academic exchanges between the three countries on various issues from politics to economy and culture. Both National Focal Points Meeting and the conference aim to enhance communications among scholars and provide constructive policy recommendations to CJK governments. The next NTCT is planned to be held at the end of 2024, hosted by the CFAU.▲DSG YAN giving Opening Remark▲NTCT National Focal Points Meeting▲NTCT Conference2024.03.27
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TC Activities‘Crested-Ibis Cup’ 3rd Trilateral Youth Speech Contest Held in Xi’an‘Crested-Ibis Cup’ 3rd Trilateral Youth Speech Contest Held in Xi’an On March 24, 2024, the ‘Crested-Ibis Cup’ 3rd Trilateral Youth Speech Contest (TYSC) was successfully held in Xi’an, China. Supported by the Foreign Ministries of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, the 3rd TYSC was hosted by Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), co-hosted by China Foreign Affairs University, and organized by Xi’an International University. TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup, Consul General of the ROK in Xi’an HONG Soon-chang, Assistant Director of Japanese Foreign Ministry HEMMI Mana, Deputy President of Xi’an People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries ZHANG Yong, and Executive President of Xi’an International University DAI Qizhi, among others, attended the opening and awarding ceremony.▲‘Crested-Ibis Cup’ the 3rd Trilateral Youth Speech Contest was held in Xi’an, China In his opening remarks, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup highlighted the distinctive feature of the TYSC in cross-adoption of the Chinese, Japanese and Korean languages during the speeches, adding that the purpose to hold the TYSC is to shed light on the commonality of the cultures of the three countries and enhance the recognition of the East Asian culture identity by the younger generations by demonstrating the close ties between these three languages.▲TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup addressed the opening ceremony▲Xi’an International University Executive President DAI Qizhi addressed the opening ceremony With the theme of “Tell Your CJK Exchange Story”, the young finalists from China, Japan and Korea shared their own experiences of cross-cultural exchanges, and expressed their desire and determination to enhance understanding and mutual trust among the three countries as well as to develop a friendly and future-oriented cooperation among the three countries. HE Jiaqian, an oversea Chinese in Japan who is currently studying in Shaanxi Normal University, said that, from civil exchanges to governmental cooperation, and from online meetings to face-to-face communications, as long as the spirits of openness, unity and cooperation are firmly adhered to the three countries will be able to build a more prosperous and harmonious East Asia, just as the civilization of the ancient Chang’an has blossomed. NAKAZAWA Kinakira, a Japanese student studying at Peking University, emphasized communication and solidarity as a distinctive feature of East Asia culture from the perspective of the tradition of chopsticks using that embeds in the three countries, adding that trilateral cooperation will create a better future for the region. Kim Garam from the ROK took the metaphor of “birds with two wings(比翼鸟)” to visualize that China, Japan and Korea are partners with each other, and that cooperation among the three countries is not only conducive to their own development, but also of great significance to the peace and prosperity of the region and beyond.▲TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup presented award to “CJK Challenger” 1st Place Winner▲Hong Soon-chang, Consul-General of the ROK in Xi’an HONG Soon-chang presented award to “C.J.K Specialist” 1st Place Winner▲Assistant Director of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan HEMMI Mana presented awards to 2nd Place Winners▲Chinese Scholar and Calligrapher XIAO Yunru presented awards to 3rd Place Winners▲Xi’an International University undergraduate ZHOU Xinqi delivered a keynote speech as a youth representative The Trilateral Youth Speech Contest was initiated by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat in 2022. There are two categories of the contest: the “C.J.K Specialist” contestants have to complete their speeches in one of the three non-native languages, and the “CJK Challenger” contestants have to complete their speeches in a mixture of CJK three languages.2024.03.24
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TC ActivitiesThe Trilateral Journalist Exchange Program 2024The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) hosted the Trilateral Journalist Exchange Program 2024 (TJEP 2024) from March 16 to 19, 2024 in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (ROK), under the theme of “25th Anniversary of Trilateral Cooperation: The Role of Media for Enhancing Mutual Perception.” 18 journalists from China, Japan and the ROK joined the program.In the Opening session, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup delivered the remarks, introducing the history of TJEP, which was initiated by TCS in 2014 to enhance CJK journalists’ understandings of the three neighboring countries and to foster trilateral media cooperation. Since then, about 100 journalists from the three countries have participated in this program, and it is now one of TCS’s flagship events.▲Group photo at Opening CeremonyAt the welcome reception, TCS Deputy Secretary-general ZUSHI Shuji welcomed the participants in his remark, underscoring media’s pivotal role in promoting trilateral cooperation.▲Welcome receptionThis program got together 6 renowned, reputed lecturers, encompassing a veteran diplomat, prominent scholars from China, Japan, and ROK, to provide lectures with the journalists, sharing their views from each perspective in a straightforward and constructive way on the progress and challenges of the Trilateral Cooperation, mutual perceptions, and economic relations among the three countries. These lectures successfully enhanced mutual understandings of the three countries among the journalists. [Lecture 1] Ambassador SHIN Jung-seung (Changing International Situation and KCJ cooperation) started his lecture by explaining the current status of the Trilateral Cooperation. On one hand, he highlighted that the Trilateral Cooperation faces the challenges stemmed from the change of international situation, including the U.S.-China strategic competition, Russia-Ukraine war, worsening situation on Korean Peninsula and Taiwan Strait, on the other hand, the difficulties in respective bilateral relations of China, Japan and ROK influences the Trilateral Cooperation. He argued that dialogue among citizens of the three countries to deepen mutual understandings should be promoted as a way to resist nationalism, and opinion leaders such as journalists and academia can greatly influence mutual perceptions among China, Japan and ROK, and also mentioned to the importance of the exchange such as this program in this regard.▲ [Lecture 1] Ambassador SHIN Jung-seung (Changing International Situation and KCJ cooperation) [Lecture 2] Professor ZHU Feng (Evolution and Analysis of Mutual Perceptions among China, Japan, and South Korea) introduced the changing landscape of mutual perceptions between China, Japan and ROK. He declared the Trilateral Cooperation faces difficulties, including the U.S.’s containment toward China. He stated that the three countries’ citizens work diligently, share family-loving culture; it is important for us to respect each other so that we will make our joint efforts and commitments. A pragmatic approach without falling into fanciful concepts is essential, and China, Japan and ROK must not allow the region to be divided, which could destroy our fundamental interests.[Lecture 3] Professor SONODA Shigeto (CJK’s Mutual Perception) introduced various surveys which are available for understanding mutual perceptions among three countries. He presented his candid views on the current situation in China and pointed out the importance of having a comprehensive data and raw information in promoting mutual understandings. He referred to significant variables, such as inter-generational differences and determinant impact by the differences of information not to trap the oversimplification on mutual perceptions among three countries.▲ [Lecture 3] Professor SONODA Shigeto (CJK’s Mutual Perception) [Lecture 4] Professor OH Seung-hee (Mutual Perceptions among China, Japan, and Korea) referred a various of public survey data to explain the three factors influencing mutual perceptions among China, Japan and ROK. The first one is identity conflicts; past conflicts and historical grievances can shape the perceptions of nations towards each other. The second one is media portrayal; the way each portrayed in the media of the three countries can significantly impact on mutual perceptions. The third one is cultural experiences; increased cultural exchanges can help in understanding and appreciating each other's traditions and values.[Lecture 5] Professor CHEN Wenling (2024 国际经济形势与中日韩经贸关系(2024 International Economic Situation and Economic & Trade Relations between China, Japan and Republic of Korea) ) analyzed the global economic landscape and discussed economic relations among China, Japan, and ROK. She highlighted the challenges like geopolitical tensions and emphasized the importance of cooperation. Prof. CHEN discussed the U.S.’s approach towards China and advocated for the Trilateral Cooperation among China, Japan and ROK. She recommended establishing trust, coordinating policies, enhancing global value chain positioning, deepening innovation cooperation, strengthening financial collaboration, promoting green transformation, advancing the digital economy, and fostering social and cultural exchange for mutual benefit.▲ [Lecture 5] Professor CHEN Wenling (2024 国际经济形势与中日韩经贸关系(2024 International Economic Situation and Economic & Trade Relations between China, Japan and Republic of Korea) ) [Lecture 6] Professor WATANABE Yorizumi (Political Obstacles and Interests Coordination in the Process of Preparation of the Japan-China-ROK FTA) delineated the chronology of the Trilateral FTA, including what had been discussed between 2012 and 2017. After overviewing the current status of China-Japan-ROK cooperation, he concluded that three countries should make a coherent effort to counter protectionism stemming out from unilateral measures taken in the world via rule-based solutions, not via power-based solution.To compile the six lectures, there was the intensive discussion session. The journalists had the opportunity to make a comment and hold the discussion on moderated by Mr. LEE Ha-won of Chosun Ilbo on morning 18th. He raised questions based on the comments the journalists made regarding the previous lectures. Mr. LEE focused his questions on methods journalists can enhance the Trilateral Cooperation in relevance to nationalism, social media, mutual perceptions, culture exchange, and ultimately the Trilateral Summit.▲Intensive discussionThe journalists exchanged their thoughts on the given topics and actively engaged in the discussion. The journalists got the chance of visiting Chong Wa Dae on 18th and Kimchi making experience on 19th. Through these activities, the journalists deepened mutual friendship. SG LEE Hee-sup and DSG YAN Liang had received the interview from some Chinese, Japanese, Korean journalists respectively. And TCS also got ready for the journalist to interview with a renowned scholar and an expert.▲Field trip to Cheon Wa Dae▲Cultural experience▲Interview opportunities to Mr. KANG Chulwon, Everland zookeeper2024.03.16 ~ 2024.03.19
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TC ActivitiesThe Trilateral Journalist Exchange Program Kicked Off in Seoul, ROKOn 16th March 2024, The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) kicked off the Trilateral Journalist Exchange Program 2024 (TJEP 2024) in Seoul, ROK, under the theme of “25th Anniversary of Trilateral Cooperation: The Role of Media for Enhancing Mutual Perception”.In the Opening session, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup delivered the remarks welcoming the 18 journalists from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. He also introduced the history of TJEP, which was initiated by TCS in 2014 to enhance CJK journalists’ understandings of the three neighboring countries and to foster trilateral media cooperation. Since then, about 100 journalists from the three countries have benefited from this program, and it is now one of TCS’s flagship events.TJEP 2024 gives more importance to lectures on CJK Cooperation, Mutual perception and Economy delivered by distinguished experts from three countries, alongside exchange of views. Additionally, proactive activities such as a field trip, a cultural experience and interview opportunities are included in this program.TJEP 2024 expects that Media outlets of the three countries exert further positive energy to provide an objective and comprehensive perspective for the public to see each other.▲TCS SG Lee making remarks▲ Group Photo2024.03.16
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