The first-ever forum between China, Japan and South Korea to this effect held in Beijing on April 29, 2016.
East Asian giants - China, Japan and South Korea have decided to keep behind them the historical and territorial issues that hitherto strained their relations and are now working towards federating their efforts for a mutual and sustainable political and socio-economic development. Fine economists, diplomats and other top-level development actors of the region met in Beijing on April 29, 2016 in the first-ever China-Japan-South Korea Public Diplomacy Forum to seek ways of materialising the dream.
Jointly organised by China Public Diplomacy Association and the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat, the Beijing three-way forum examined in detail the history of the three countries, their economic strength both in Asia and the world and what frank cooperation could fetch for them and the world. In one of the many speeches that spiced the brainstorming Beijing meeting, Li Zhaoxing, Chairman of the China Public Diplomacy Association observed that the issues that unite the three East Asian giants are by far more than their differences.
They have almost a quarter of the world’s population and contribute a fifth to the world’s economy with over 36 per cent shares in the global added value. Hence, the need to complement each other not only to better develop themselves for the good of the present and future generations but equally to consolidate their growth and stay top on the world stage.
Other speakers equally harped on the fact that the three countries are permanent neighbours and need a proper foundation and people support to forge ahead. To Kim Jungsoo, South Korean Ambassador to China and Toshihiro, Chairman of the General Council of Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, the common interests of the three countries far outweigh differences and they need to work together to correct and guide public opinion. “We must properly deal with sensitive cultural and historic issues in order to accelerate our development,” Zhang Yesui, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China said.
Participants brainstormed in sub forums notably on enhancing mutual trust, maintaining regional peace and stability as well as boosting economy, culture and media cooperation. They both agreed at term on the need for a more harmonious and prosperous East Africa. This passes through regular meetings and cooperation on mutually-beneficial basis. The forum was an outcome of a leaders meeting in 2015 in Seoul, South Korea where the three countries resumed a trilateral summit to repair relations strained by historical and territorial issues.
