The trilateral meeting in Tokyo is a achievement for Japan, with historical and territorial disputes between China and South Korea.
Foreign Ministers of Japan, South Korea and China agree that they need to seek a common foundation on East Asia’s security and economic issues amid growing global uncertainty.
Japanese foreign minister, his Chinese counterparts Wang Yweare and South Korean counterparts Cho Yule, agreed to tackle multi-generational concerns to gain wider support for cooperation, Eweare said at a joint press conference in Tokyo on Saturday.
The first gathering of the country’s foreign ministers since 2023 could open the door for President Donald Trump to overturn a decades-old alliance and develop close ties with Washington, which traditionally lined up.
“The international situation is getting more and more serious, and it’s not an exaggeration to say we’re at a turning point in history,” Iwaire said at the start of the meeting.
“In this context, it is more important than ever to make an effort to overcome division and conflict through dialogue and cooperation,” he said.
The three-way meeting is a achievement for Japan, which is in historical and territorial conflicts with both China and South Korea. Last year, a previous trilateral conference was held in Korea.
The Chinese king said this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, “Only by looking back at history can we build our future better.”
He said China supports strengthening cooperation, allowing countries to “collaborate risks” and encourage “mutual understanding” between their groups.
“Our three countries have a population of nearly 1.6 billion and economic output of over $24 trillion. Our vast markets and great potential can make a big impact,” Wang said.
China would like to resume free trade talks with its neighbors and expand its membership in its 15-country regional comprehensive economic partnerships, he added.
Report from Tokyo, Fadi Salamem of Al Jazeera said the meeting aims to “build confidence among these three countries.”
“But even so, there are so many differences and issues that divide the three countries,” Salamet said.
“China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the three countries that may target Japan in this regard should be honest about the divided historical issues,” explained Salamet, referring to YI’s references to World War II and the Japanese war of attack.
Beijing is facing conflict with Tokyo and Seoul, including support for North Korea, intensifying military operations around Taiwan, and Russia’s support in the war with Ukraine.
US allies and South Korea each host thousands of US soldiers, sharing Washington’s view that China, the world’s second largest economy, is increasing the threat to regional security.
Cho said he asked China to persuade them at the meeting to abandon its nuclear weapons.
“I also emphasized that illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea should cease immediately and that North Korea should not be rewarded for its misconduct in the process of bringing the end of the war in Ukraine,” he added.
Iwaya will meet individually with her Chinese and South Korean counterparts, including her first high-level economic dialogue with Beijing in six years.
The meeting will include discussions about the ban on Japanese seafood imports imposed by China after the announcement of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which was destroyed in 2023, Iwaya said this week.
