Foreign ministers from Japan, China, and South Korea convened in Tokyo on Saturday to discuss cooperation on various fronts including trade, regional security, and other pressing issues, amidst escalating geopolitical tensions.

The meeting, which involved countries with historically tense relations, was set against the backdrop of looming threats by US President Donald Trump to impose trade tariffs.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, at the outset of the meeting with his counterparts, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and South Korea’s top diplomat Cho Tae-yul, remarked on the significant challenges posed by the international situation, suggesting that these talks occurred at a critical juncture in history. He emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing division and confrontation.

China’s Wang Yi highlighted the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, stressing that a candid confronting of history is essential for forging a better future. He advocated for strengthening East Asian cooperation to achieve mutual understanding and resist common risks.

South Korea’s Cho Tae-yul underscored the significance of their three-way cooperation as a beacon of hope for the future to the global community.

The discussions, in addition to trade matters, also extended to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, a topic that had been previously reaffirmed at a May summit of these countries’ leaders in Seoul.

The peace and security of the Korean Peninsula were recognized as crucial for regional and global peace and prosperity, with hopes expressed for frank discussions on the North Korean nuclear issue.

While Tokyo and Seoul are close allies of the US and host American military troops, China stands as one of North Korea’s main international supporters. Each of the three countries perceives China as a threat to regional security.

Moving forward, the ministers aimed to schedule a tripartite leaders’ summit by the end of 2025 and also planned to address issues such as climate change, aging populations, disaster cooperation, and Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.

Bilateral talks were to follow on Saturday, including the first “high-level economic dialogue” between Japan and China in six years. Japan sought to resume exports of Japanese seafood to China, which had been halted following Japan’s decision to release wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.

Edited by: Alex Berry

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/japan-hosts-china-south-korea-foreign-ministers/a-72003813?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf