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China, Japan, ROK economic, trade ministers pledge to deepen trilateral cooperation

China

China

China

China, Japan, ROK economic, trade ministers pledge to deepen trilateral cooperation

2025-03-31 13:53 Last Updated At:23:57

China is committed to high-quality development and expanding high-level openness, vowing to share opportunities with all nations, including the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan, said Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Sunday in Seoul.

Amid the downward pressure on the global economy, China, Japan and ROK, as major regional and global economies, have to make joint efforts to safeguard free trade and multilateral trading system, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and advance regional economic integration, said Wang at the 13th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Economic and Trade Ministers' Meeting.

The trilateral meeting, focused on topics such as strengthening trade and investment collaboration and advancing regional and multilateral cooperation, was co-chaired by Wang Wentao, ROK's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun, and Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoji Muto.

At the meeting, the economic and trade departments of the three countries agreed to discuss accelerating negotiations on the trilateral free trade agreement, strengthen supply chain cooperation and dialogue on export control, deepen collaboration in digital and green economies, enhance local cooperation, and jointly foster a favorable environment for business collaboration.

A joint press statement was released after the meeting.

China, Japan, ROK economic, trade ministers pledge to deepen trilateral cooperation

China, Japan, ROK economic, trade ministers pledge to deepen trilateral cooperation

China, Japan, ROK economic, trade ministers pledge to deepen trilateral cooperation

China, Japan, ROK economic, trade ministers pledge to deepen trilateral cooperation

China, Japan, ROK economic, trade ministers pledge to deepen trilateral cooperation

China, Japan, ROK economic, trade ministers pledge to deepen trilateral cooperation

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's political stunts both at home and abroad cannot whitewash Japan's World War II (WWII) aggression, but instead expose the schemes of the country's far-right forces to incite bloc confrontation and promote remilitarization, says a China Media Group commentary published on Sunday.

An edited English version of the commentary is as follows:

In recent days, Takaichi has faced fierce criticism both domestically and internationally.

Her political stunt of kneeling in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier to lay flowers at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra during her visit to Australia further exposed her multiple political calculations to the international community.

Choosing to kneel in front of a tomb in Australia, Takaichi was not regretting for Japan's aggression and atrocities during World War II.

This act not only reveals the distorted world outlook of Japanese politicians, but also exposes their attempts to mislead public opinion, whitewash the crimes of WWII aggression, instigate bloc confrontation, and push for military buildup.

From "fawning diplomacy" during her U.S. visit in March to the recent kneeling show during her visit to Australia in May, Takaichi has been trying to cultivate a friendly image towards the West.

Geopolitically speaking, Japan's far-right forces are trying to expand their military and breach from the restraints of the pacifist constitution by exaggerating external threats. To this end, they are making every effort to exploit geopolitical conflicts and draw neighboring countries, especially Western countries, into bloc confrontation.

Since the end of WWII, Japanese leaders have never apologized to the people of victim countries such as China, the Republic of Korea, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Many Japanese politicians have even tried every means to justify the war crimes.

In particular, Takaichi has questioned the 1995 Murayama Statement, denied the Nanjing Massacre, visited the notorious Yasukuni Shrine annually for many consecutive years, and revived military rank titles during WWII, such as "taisa."

On the issue of Japan's history of aggression, Takaichi's insidious move cannot deceive the world.

Takaichi's political stunts both at home and abroad are a provocation against WWII victim countries in Asia and other regions.

This cannot conceal Japan's remilitarization attempt or the reality that " neo-militarism" is spreading and becoming a threat.

All countries that have suffered from Japanese militarist aggression should remain highly vigilant and united, and work together to safeguard the outcomes of WWII victory, so that historical tragedies never repeat themselves.

Takaichi's political stunts cannot whitewash Japan's history of aggression, remilitarization attempt: commentary

Takaichi's political stunts cannot whitewash Japan's history of aggression, remilitarization attempt: commentary

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