3-7-2023 (BEIJING) Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi has called upon the governments of China, Japan, and South Korea to join forces in protecting and promoting peace, prosperity, and revitalization in Asia. The remarks were made during the opening ceremony of the annual International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation, held in Qingdao, Shandong Province.
Wang emphasized the significance of mutual respect, inclusiveness, and independence, and the importance of achieving harmony, solidarity, and self-improvement to safeguard the correct path of cooperation between the three countries. He also urged all Asian nations to practice open regionalism, cultivate strategic autonomy, and resist the return of the Cold War mentality.
In pursuit of these objectives, Wang proposed five suggestions. The first was to build mutual trust to maintain regional peace and stability. He called for adherence to the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, upholding the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and resolving differences and disputes peacefully through dialogue and consultations.
The second proposal was to enhance mutual benefits to create momentum for economic growth. Wang urged continuous advancement of the new cooperation mode of “China-Japan-South Korea+X,” exploring joint projects in fields such as production capacity, poverty reduction, health, and disaster management.
The third proposal was to strengthen interconnectivity to promote regional economic integration. He called for expediting negotiations on the China-Japan-South Korea free trade area and implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to promote the integration of regional economies.
The fourth proposal was to enhance mutual assistance to address common challenges, such as sand control, ocean governance, immigration management, and combating transnational crimes. Wang urged the exchange of information, experience, and policy coordination.
The fifth proposal was to enhance exchanges and mutual learning to cultivate the foundation of social public opinion. He encouraged interaction among media, think tanks, and civic groups, especially among young generations. He added that the media of the three countries have the responsibility to create a sound environment for promoting sincere and friendly mutual understanding among the three peoples.
