In a significant move towards strengthening regional ties, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol at a trilateral summit. Premier Li emphasized the importance of viewing each other as partners and urged opposition to politicizing trade and economic issues.
The summit, reinstated after a four-year pause, underscored the leaders’ commitment to accelerating negotiations on a trilateral free trade agreement and enhancing people-to-people exchanges. Reaffirming their support for an open, rules-based multilateral trading system, the leaders expressed a shared responsibility to foster peace and prosperity in the region.
Beyond the resumption of the summit, the meeting marked a pivotal moment as the leaders focused on dialogue and collaboration on critical issues such as trade and climate change. President Yoon highlighted the collective effort, stating, “Our three countries this year will join forces to contribute to peace and prosperity.” Prime Minister Kishida echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the “great responsibility” they share for regional stability and growth.
The intertwined cultural and economic relationships among China, Japan, and South Korea are evident, with the three nations collectively accounting for approximately 25 percent of the global GDP. China remains the largest trading partner for both Japan and South Korea, and stands as a significant investment ally. Despite external pressures to reduce ties with China, this deep economic bond motivates the trio to engage more actively in maintaining regional harmony and advancing economic development.
The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), established to promote lasting peace and shared prosperity, plays a crucial role in this endeavor. As per the TCS, in 2022, the combined contributions of the three countries represented 23.4 percent of the world’s GDP, 20 percent of its population, and 18.7 percent of global trade.
All three nations are participants in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a trade agreement that significantly enhances trade and investment opportunities while fostering dynamic regional and global value chains. This collaboration through RCEP further solidifies their commitment to collective economic growth and stability.
The renewed dedication of China, Japan, and South Korea to work collaboratively signals a hopeful trajectory for East Asia. By prioritizing partnership over competition and dialogue over discord, they set a precedent for peaceful coexistence and mutual prosperity in the region.
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China, Japan and South Korea can find ways to coexist peacefully
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