The 2025 Trilateral Cooperation Forum was held in Tokyo on Tuesday, bringing together over 200 in-person participants and hundreds of online attendees to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation among China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK).
The annual event, hosted by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) under the theme "Shaping the Future Together: Trilateral Cooperation under Global Transformation," featured two sub-sessions focusing on regional and global challenges facing the three countries.
""China, Japan, and South Korea joining hands and moving forward together will have a synergistic effect that benefits our three nations, the region, and the world," Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao said in his speech at the event.
The first session examined ways to strengthen trilateral cooperation through strategic and institutional frameworks, and the second session discussed collaboration on aging societies, climate change, carbon neutrality goals, and regional economic integration.
In his opening remarks, TCS Secretary-General Lee Hee-sup highlighted the significance of deepening cooperation among the three nations amid rising geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and protectionism.
The forum has become an annual flagship event, aimed at raising public awareness of trilateral collaboration and offering insights for future cooperation among the three nations.
In an exclusive interview with the Shanghai Media Group on the sidelines of the forum, Lee said the forum will promote bilateral and trilateral relations and cooperation.
"While historical issues persist, the joint efforts to advance regional cooperation are undoubtedly commendable. I wish to emphasize that progress in trilateral cooperation will ultimately contribute to improving bilateral relations between the nations involved. Enhanced bilateral friendship will further propel the development of trilateral cooperation as a whole," he said.
Trilateral forum highlights cooperation among China, Japan, ROK
