TCS

On November 26, 2023, the 10th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in Busan, ROK. It is the first face-to-face meeting between the three Foreign Ministers since 2019. The meeting was presided by H.E. PARK Jin, Foreign Minister of the ROK and participated by H.E. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Foreign Minister of Japan, and H.E. WANG Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister of China. TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup, as well as Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji and YAN Liang also participated in the meeting.The Foreign Ministers assessed the progress of trilateral cooperation and the future direction the three countries. In particular, theMinister PARK proposed on developing cooperation areas in the six areas of 1) people-to-people exchange, 2) science and technology, 3) sustainable development, 4) public health, 5) economic cooperation and trade, and 6) peace and security. The Chinese and Japanese ministers shared views on ways to enhance cooperation. Discussions on regional and global affairs also took place. The three ministers concurred on holding the Trilateral Summit at the earliest convenient time for all sides.Regarding the TCS, the foreign ministers spoke highly of the achievements and roles of the TCS. Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup expressed appreciation to the three ministers for their unwavering support for trilateral cooperation and the TCS despite difficult times. SG LEE briefed on the efforts TCS has taken to promote trilateral cooperation and highlighted the need to further enhance the capacity building of the TCS to achieve an in-dept cooperation.The meeting was held after an official Luncheon hosted by Minister PARK, which the 7th Consultative Board of TCS were invited to attend, and the video messages from CJK participants of Trilateral Youth Summit (TYS) 2023 were played to hear young students’ voices on the trilateral cooperation.

On November 25, 2023, Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) delivered a congratulatory video message at the opening of the China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Youth Knowledge Contest.In his remarks, Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI reiterated the importance of youth exchange on enhancing mutual understandings of the three countries as young people have less stereotypes and are more open to each other. He encouraged the young participants to deepen their friendships with each other and bring fond memories back home, helping to further solidate the foundation of the friendly and future-oriented trilateral relations.The Knowledge Contest was hosted by Shandong University of China, and TCS is the supporter of the event. Under the theme of “Trilateral Cooperation: Present, Challenges and Future,”14 young contestants from Shandong University, Wasada University and Sungkyunkwan University made speeches on various topics and contested for the awards. Mr. LI Guanyu, Director of Socio-Cultural Affairs of TCS, participated as the judge and commentator.▲Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji is delivering congratulatory remarks.▲Director Li Guanyu is making comments.

On November 22, 2023, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup, Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji and Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang (collectively the 7th “Consultative Board”) paid a visit to Mr. Funakoshi Takahiro, Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.SG LEE expressed his gratitude for the Government of Japan’s unwavering support for the TCS, and his hope for its continuous cooperation. Senior Deputy Minister FUNAKOSHI responded that he recognized the importance of trilateral cooperation for the region and beyond, and also for each bilateral relation. He reiterated the commitment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to render continuous support to the TCS.

On November 22, 2023, TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup, Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji and Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang (collectively the 7th “Consultative Board”) paid a courtesy call on H.E. WU Jianghao, Ambassador of China in Japan.SG LEE thanked Ambassador WU for the unwavering support that the Government of China has given toward the TCS. He introduced TCS’s efforts to promote people-to-people exchanges among three countries to better facilitate Trilateral Cooperation.Ambassador WU congratulated the assumption of the 7th Board, expressing continuous support to the trilateral cooperation. Recognizing the importance of trilateral cooperation including “Trilateral+X” cooperation, he explained that the Embassy would be ready to cooperate with the TCS.▲Meeting at the Embassy of China in Japan▲Group Photo