TCS

The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) hosted the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) 2025 on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Tokyo, under the theme “Shaping the Future Together: Navigating Global Complexity through Trilateral Cooperation.” The forum returned to Japan for the first time since 2018, after being suspended during the pandemic. The event attracted more than 200 on-site attendees and several hundred online participants, offering valuable insights into the future of trilateral cooperation. In the opening session, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup emphasized the need to transition from quantitative growth to qualitative progress in trilateral cooperation. He noted that while last year marked the 25th anniversary of trilateral cooperation, next year will mark the 15th anniversary of TCS’s establishment. Acknowledging the complex global challenges jointly faced by China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK)—including geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and rising protectionism—he stressed the importance of collaboration among governments, citizens, media, and think tanks, reaffirming TCS’s commitment to peace, prosperity, and shared culture among the three countries. On-site congratulatory remarks were delivered by H.E. FUJII Hisayuki, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. WU Jianghao, Ambassador of China to Japan, and H.E. PARK Cheol-hee, Ambassador of the ROK to Japan. Keynote speeches followed, delivered by Ms. KAWAGUCHI Yoriko, former Minister of the Environment and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan; Mr. WU Hailong, President of the China Public Diplomacy Association; and Mr. KIM Jin-pyo, Chairman of Global Innovation Studies and former Speaker of the ROK National Assembly. In the two subsequent sessions, high-level officials, diplomats, prominent scholars, and policymakers examined both the structural foundations and practical dimensions of trilateral cooperation. They discussed the rationale for revitalizing trilateral efforts and the institutional frameworks needed to sustain them, while also exploring areas of collaboration that directly affect people’s lives. Session 1, “Revitalizing Regional Connectivity: Institutionalizing Trilateral Cooperation for a Stable and Peaceful Northeast Asia,” explored how the three countries can reinforce the strategic and institutional foundations of cooperation. Speakers underscored the value of holding trilateral summits and ministerial meetings on a regular basis, alongside efforts to strengthen institutional capacity. Key proposals included regularizing dialogue mechanisms, establishing crisis response systems, expanding “CJK + X” cooperation, and empowering TCS. The session also underscored the importance of engaging non-governmental sectors—such as think tanks, media, and academia—to foster mutual trust and promote sustainable peace in the region. Session 2, “Driving Inclusive Growth: In Pursuit of a More Prosperous Northeast Asia amid Global Challenges,” explored pathways to achieving inclusive growth in the context of highly aged societies, the climate crisis and the pursuit of carbon neutrality, and enhanced regional economic cooperation. The speakers emphasized the urgency of climate action and the opportunities presented by green and digital transitions. The session also underscored the importance of regional economic integration and trade frameworks in supporting sustainable development. Closer trilateral cooperation—and collaboration across academic and policy arenas—was recognized as vital to addressing shared challenges and securing long-term resilience and prosperity. Since 2011, the IFTC has served as one of TCS’s flagship annual projects, raising public awareness of trilateral cooperation and providing in-depth policy references to the three governments. The 2025 Forum was supported by major media outlets from the three countries: Asahi Shimbun, People’s Daily, and Chosun Ilbo.▲Group Photo▲Congratulatory Remarks from H.E. FUJII Hisayuki, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan▲Congratulatory Remarks from H.E. WU Jianghao, Ambassador of China to Japan▲Congratulatory Remarks from H.E. PARK Cheol-hee, Ambassador of the ROK to Japan▲Opening Remarks from TCS Secretary-General, LEE Hee-sup▲Keynote Speech by Ms. KAWAGUCHI Yoriko, Former Minister of the Environment and Minister for Foreign Affairs ofJapan▲Keynote Speech by Mr. WU Hailong, President of the China Public Diplomacy Association▲Keynote Speech by Mr. KIM Jin-pyo, Chairman of Global Innovation Studies and former Speaker of the ROK National Assembly▲Session 1 “Revitalizing Regional Connectivity: Institutionalizing Trilateral Cooperation for a Stable and Peaceful Northeast Asia”▲Session 2 “Driving Inclusive Growth: In Pursuit of a More Prosperous Northeast Asia amid Global Challenges”

On June 26th, 2025, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup attended the 9th East Asian Gateway Cities Policy Forum held in Tianjin, China. The Forum was co-organized by Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences and Incheon Institute, under the theme “Mutual learning among East Asian gateway cities: Cultural heritage and urban renewal”.Secretary-General LEE delivered congratulatory remarks at the opening session, where he stressed that local government exchange plays a critical role in supporting and promoting international cooperation, especially in times of complexity and conflict. He further introduced the works of TCS in promoting urban development and local government exchange, such as the recent Carbon Neutrality Forum on sustainable urban development, the Research Report on CJK Local City Exchange, and the CCEA Influencer Tour in 2023, 2024. The Forum actively discussed the achievements and progress of East Asia’s gateway cities’ (Tianjin, Incheon, and Kobe) mutual learning experience in urban renewal and preserving cultural heritage. In addition, SG LEE had a bilateral meeting with Mr. LUAN Jian Zhang, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Tianjin Municipal People’s Government, to discuss future cooperation opportunities between TCS and Tianjin, especially focusing on Tianjin’s unique position as a hub port city in China. SG LEE emphasized that Tianjin holds a unique position as a hub port city in China, making it an ideal location for trilateral and East Asian cooperation. In this context, Director-General LUAN expressed interest in collaborating with TCS in the future to expand Tianjin’s international cooperation starting with neighboring local governments, and later to the larger region.▲Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup delivering congratulatory remarks at the Forum▲Group photo▲Bilateral meeting with Mr. LUAN Jian Zhang, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Tianjin Municipal People’s Government.

On June 26, 2025, the Working Level Meeting for the 23rd Yellow Sea Rim Economic and Technological Exchange Conference was held in Daejeon. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the ROK, and the Korea-Japan Economic Association. The Embassy of China in the ROK and the Kyushu Economy International (KEI) (comprising Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Kyushu Economic Federation) participated in the meeting.The delegation from the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) delivered a presentation on the publication of the Trilateral Economic Report (TER) and shared future plans regarding the follow-up to the 13th Trilateral Economic and Trade Ministers’ Meeting. Launched in 2001, the Yellow Sea Rim Economic and Technological Exchange Conference has served as a annual platform for the three countries based on the Yellow Sea Rim region for government agencies, local governments, businesses, and research institutions. The forum aims to promote cooperation and explore business opportunities in the fields of trade, investment, technology, and people to people exchange. Marking its 23rd iteration this year, the conference will be held in Daejeon in November under the theme of “Growth and Development of the Yellow Sea Rim Economic Zone: Bio-Healthcare, Science & Technology, and Business Exchange.”▲Meeting in progress▲Group photo

From June 24 to 25th, 2025, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup attended the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of New Champions 2025 (The Summer Davos Forum) held in Tianjin, China. The theme of this year’s Forum was “Entrepreneurship for a New Era”.Secretary-General LEE attended as a speaker at a closed-door roundtable session entitled “Trilateral East Asian Cooperation: China, Japan, and Korea” along with key public figures and high-level leaders from the three countries to discuss the challenges that East Asian countries are facing, and called for a higher level of trilateral cooperation to address global issues. In his remarks, SG LEE illustrated the history and achievement of trilateral cooperation and emphasized that cooperation can act as a catalyst for progress in times of crisis. Following the roundtable session, SG LEE had a bilateral meeting with Ms. Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board at the World Economic Forum, to discuss how to further incorporate trilateral cooperation into WEF’s agenda. Ms. Neo stressed that trilateral cooperation is also a center of interest for business sectors as well, and expressed her hopes of continuing to communicate with TCS for future collaboration.At the Forum, SG LEE also had an interview with Xinhua News Agency and shared his thoughts and insights on the recent global economic and trade environment in East Asia, especially those regarding the impact and prospects of RCEP, FTA, and China’s economic policies.  ▲The Summer Davos Forum in progress▲Bilateral meeting with Ms. Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director and Member of the Managing Board at the World Economic Forum▲Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup receiving an interview from Xinhua News Agency