Chinese Premier Advocates Enhanced China-Japan-South Korea Cooperation at 9th Trilateral Summit
Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the importance of recommitting to cooperative aspirations among China, Japan, and South Korea during the ninth Trilateral Summit Meeting on Monday. He called for joint efforts to resume and accelerate trilateral cooperation to contribute significantly to regional prosperity and stability.
Marking the 25th anniversary of the China-Japan-South Korea trilateral cooperation mechanism, Premier Li stressed the need for the three countries to stay committed to the original goals of cooperation, emphasizing openness, inclusiveness, mutual respect, trust, mutual benefit, and mutual learning.
Premier Li outlined a five-point proposal to deepen China-Japan-South Korea cooperation:
- Comprehensive Restart of Cooperation: He highlighted the need to respect each other’s core interests, fully utilize cooperation potential, and ensure positive interactions between bilateral and trilateral relations.
- Economic and Trade Connectivity: Li advocated for maintaining the stability of industrial and supply chains and completing the negotiations of the China-Japan-South Korea free trade agreement promptly.
- Scientific and Technological Innovation: Emphasizing collaborative innovation, Li announced the establishment of a China-Japan-South Korea Innovation Cooperation Center to foster new growth drivers.
- Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: Leveraging the upcoming China-Japan-South Korea 2025-2026 Year of Cultural Exchange to enhance mutual understanding and connections among the three nations.
- Sustainable Development: Strengthening cooperation in low-carbon transformation, climate change, aging populations, and epidemic response, and exploring joint “China-Japan-South Korea + X” projects.
Addressing regional security, Li pointed out the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula, urging all parties to commit to easing tensions, restarting dialogue, and advancing the political settlement process to ensure regional peace and stability.
Premier Li expressed China’s willingness to collaborate with South Korea and Japan to build a community with a shared future for mankind, promoting long-term regional and global stability and security.
Leaders from South Korea and Japan underscored the significance of resuming trilateral cooperation after a four-year hiatus. They emphasized maintaining stability and continuity in cooperation across key areas such as culture, sustainable development, economy, public health, science and technology, and disaster relief. They also expressed hope for the resumption of trilateral FTA negotiations and enhanced regional cooperation in East Asia.
Following the meeting, the leaders jointly addressed the press, reaffirming their commitment to advancing China-Japan-South Korea cooperation. The summit concluded with the issuance of several key documents, including the Joint Declaration of the Ninth China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Summit, the Joint Statement on a 10 Year Vision for Trilateral IP Cooperation, and the Joint Statement on Future Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response. They agreed to implement the Trilateral Cooperation Vision for the Next Decade and designated 2025-2026 as the China-Japan-ROK Year of Cultural Exchange.
The summit highlighted the collective determination to enhance trilateral relations, foster regional cooperation, and address global challenges, ensuring greater benefits for the people of China, Japan, and South Korea, and contributing to world peace and prosperity.
