Preparations are in their final stages for a long-anticipated trilateral leaders’ meeting among China, Japan, and South Korea, signaling a crucial opportunity for the three nations to address tensions and enhance cooperation, experts emphasized.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that the country is in the last stages of consultations with China and Japan to convene the trilateral meeting on May 26 and 27. An official from the ministry stated that the meeting was agreed upon “at the earliest date convenient for all sides.”
According to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are expected to visit Seoul to meet with President Yoon Suk Yeol, given South Korea’s current role as the rotating chair.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning highlighted China’s commitment to trilateral cooperation during a press conference on April 11, emphasizing the importance of creating conducive conditions for the leaders’ meeting. Mao expressed China’s readiness to maintain communication with South Korea and Japan to prepare for the upcoming meeting.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida echoed support for the trilateral talks during a press conference, affirming ongoing coordination efforts for the meeting’s preparations.
In another development, reports indicate that China and South Korea are finalizing the schedule for South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul’s visit to China ahead of the trilateral leaders’ talks.
“The cooperation among China, Japan, and South Korea holds immense benefits not only for East Asia but also for the international community,” remarked Lü Chao, a research fellow at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences. Lü underscored the mutual interests shared by the three countries, particularly in economic cooperation, which serves as a cornerstone for broader collaboration.
The trilateral discussions are expected to cover various areas, including people-to-people exchanges, economy and trade, public health, and peace and security, with outcome documents likely to be released. Bilateral talks may also be on the agenda.
The last trilateral meeting took place in Chengdu, China, in December 2019, with subsequent suspensions attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and diplomatic tensions among the countries.
Experts anticipate positive developments from the upcoming trilateral meeting, emphasizing its potential contributions to regional peace and stability. However, they cautioned against lingering political and diplomatic challenges, particularly as Japan and South Korea engage in alliances with the US to counter China.
Lü urged Japan and South Korea to seize the opportunity presented by the meeting to address diplomatic tensions, suggesting economic cooperation as a starting point for rebuilding trust and fostering stronger relations. He emphasized the importance of identifying shared interests and reaching consensus on critical issues to promote productive discussions and enhanced cooperation across various sectors in the future.