Title: South Korea, China, and Japan to Hold Trilateral Summit to Foster Regional Cooperation
In a bid to enhance regional cooperation, senior diplomats from South Korea, China, and Japan have agreed to meet at the “earliest convenient time” for a trilateral summit. The annual summit, which has been put on hold since 2008 due to tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to foster closer ties and address concerns between the three nations.
While specific dates for the summit are still being discussed, foreign ministers from South Korea, China, and Japan are expected to convene “in a couple of months.” As the host for this year’s meetings, South Korea has proposed a summit in late December.
One of the main objectives of the meeting is to address Beijing’s concerns over the growing cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo. Both nations recently resolved long-standing disputes, leading to a trilateral summit with the United States in August where they vowed to increase collaboration in defense and economic security.
China expressed its support for cooperation among the three countries, emphasizing the common interests they share in the region. Since the souring of bilateral relations over the THAAD deployment in 2017, Beijing has shown proactive efforts to engage in trilateral cooperation. It is anticipated that China will utilize trilateral trade ties to counterbalance the U.S. strategy and enhance communication on security and defense matters.
For Japan and South Korea, maintaining a stable security relationship with China is of great importance, as is seeking its assistance in addressing North Korea’s nuclear development program.
In addition to the trilateral summit, South Korea is also pushing for a separate visit by President Xi Jinping. This move demonstrates South Korea’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with China.
The meeting, attended by the South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister, Japanese Senior Deputy Foreign Minister, and China’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, signifies a positive step towards regional collaboration and diplomatic efforts between these three influential nations.
As tensions ease and the COVID-19 situation improves, the trilateral summit will serve as a platform to enhance cooperation on trade, security, and other shared interests. By reconnecting and fostering dialogue, South Korea, China, and Japan are working towards a more integrated and prosperous region.
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