Reviving the Trilateral Dialogue: Japan, China, and South Korea Set to Rekindle Summit Talks

Reviving the Trilateral Dialogue: Japan, China, and South Korea Set to Rekindle Summit Talks

Resurrecting the Trilateral Summit

After a four-year hiatus, Japan, China, and South Korea are set to revive their trilateral summit. The decision was reached during a meeting involving representatives from the three countries. Japan was represented by an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Funakoshi; China was represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ vice-minister, Nong Rong; and South Korea by their Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ vice-minister, Jeong Byeong-won.

The trilateral summit is a significant diplomatic event in East Asia, bringing together the world’s second, third, and twelfth-largest economies. The first summit was held in Fukuoka, Japan, in December 2008, focusing on strengthening trilateral relations, regional economy, and disaster relief.

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Busan to Host Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

As part of the arrangements, a foreign ministers’ meeting of the three nations is being planned in Busan, South-East Korea, in November of this year. This meeting will set the stage for the trilateral summit, expected to take place as soon as possible.

South Korea Proposes Enhanced Cooperation

During the 26th meeting, South Korea expressed its intention to enhance cooperation with Japan and China in various fields, including security and economy. This expression of intention reflects a desire to achieve tangible results through the trilateral partnership. However, it is worth noting that the issue of the release of treated water from Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the sea was not discussed.

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Aiming for a Summit Within the Year

The South Korean government is eager to hold a summit within the year and plans to continue the discussions. This goal underscores the importance the South Korean government attaches to the trilateral partnership and its potential benefits. The government is keen to ensure that momentum is maintained and that the summit is held as soon as is practically possible.

Conclusion

The revival of the trilateral summit between Japan, China, and South Korea marks a significant step towards enhanced cooperation among these East Asian powers. From the security perspective to the economic arena, this development could have far-reaching implications. However, as the discussions continue, it will be crucial to navigate sensitive issues carefully, such as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, to ensure that progress is not derailed. The forthcoming foreign ministers’ meeting in Busan will be a critical juncture in these ongoing diplomatic efforts.

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