TCS

The 2025 China-Japan-Korea Children’s Story Exchange (CSE) Program kicked off in Beijing, China, and runs from August 19 to 25. The program brought together 100 elementary students from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea for a collaborative storybook-making activity, along with 28 alumni (OBs) who participated in a sub-program focused on cultural exchange and strengthening trilateral friendship. This year’s theme was “The Ship: A Millennia-Long Voyage from Dunhuang Murals to the Starship.” The alumni event was co-organized by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), China National Committee for the Wellbeing of Children, Parliamentary Association for the Future of Children, National Institute for Youth Education (NIYE), Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea, and the Jeollanamdo Office of Education. As the official co-organizer, TCS played a key role in coordinating the alumni activities and ensuring a meaningful and well-structured program. At the opening ceremony, TCS Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang delivered a congratulatory speech, highlighting the symbolic role of the “ship” as a historic medium of cultural exchange and trade among the three countries. He expressed hope that this year's theme would inspire participants to carry forward the spirit of mutual trust and cooperation, contributing to deeper understanding among the youth of China, Japan, and Korea. Throughout the week, participants engaged in a variety of activities, including the China-Japan-Korea Pathfinder Career Exploration Workshop, where professionals shared personal career experiences and cross-cultural insights. Participants also visited major cultural and educational sites such as the Summer Palace, Dunhuang Culture & Art Exhibition, Badaling Great Wall, FAO China Office, and Renmin University, which enriched their understanding of both historical heritage and contemporary global challenges. Launched in 2002 in Japan, the Children’s Story Exchange Program aims to promote reading and mutual understanding among the children of the three countries through storytelling. Since 2011, the program has been held in a rotational trilateral format, hosted alternately by China, Japan, and Korea. The 2025 edition once again demonstrated the power of youth exchange in fostering lasting friendship and regional cooperation.▲Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang delivering the opening remarks▲Group photo▲Alumni visiting the Summer Palace▲China-Japan-Korea Pathfinder Career Exploration Workshop▲Deputy Secretary-General Yan Liang in conversation with Mr. KAWAMURA Takeo, former Member of the House of Representatives of Japan

On August 18, 2025, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) delegation, headed by Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji, attended the TEMM26 Director General Meeting in Yantai, China. Building on the Pre-TEMM Meeting held in June, Director-General-level officials from China, Japan, and the ROK gathered to review detailed arrangements and discuss the expected outcomes for the upcoming Ministers’ Meeting.DSG ZUSHI delivered opening and closing remarks, highlighting that environmental cooperation was reaffirmed as a priority at the 9th Trilateral Summit, where “sustainable development, including climate change response” was identified as one of six key areas for cooperation. He emphasized TEMM’s role as a core mechanism for trilateral collaboration and shared updates on TCS initiatives, including the 4th Forum on Carbon Neutrality Goals of China, Japan, and the ROK, the side event on sand and dust storms at the 81st Session of ESCAP, and the successful conclusion of the 4th Trilateral Environmental Teachers’ Exchange Program (TTEP), which promotes cooperation on circular economy education. In his closing remarks, DSG ZUSHI expressed appreciation for the three countries’ strong commitment to a sustainable future and their continued support for TCS.Prior to the DG Meeting, a working-level meeting was held on August 17, where ministry officials actively exchanged views on TEMM26 preparations, reviewed progress on past initiatives, and discussed the newly adopted Tripartite Joint Action Plan on Environmental Cooperation (TJAP) 2026-2030.The 26th Tripartite Environment Ministers’ Meeting is scheduled to take place in Yantai, China, on September 27–28, 2025.▲Group photo▲DSG ZUSHI delivering remarks

On August 11, 2025, the 4th Trilateral Agricultural Ministers’ Meeting (TAMM) was held in Incheon, Republic of Korea (ROK). The meeting was chaired by Ms. SONG Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the ROK, and attended by Mr. KOIZUMI Shinjiro, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, and Mr. HAN Jun, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China. The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) delegation, headed by Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup attended the meeting.The meeting began with the screening of an opening video jointly produced by the TCS and MAFRA. The three ministries acknowledged the TCS’s contributions to advancing trilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector. The ministers then exchanged views and shared recent policy developments on six key agenda items: Food Security, Animal Diseases, Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Revitalization, Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), and Global Cooperation. SG LEE highlighted the significance of the meeting, noting that it marked the resumption of TAMM after a hiatus of six years and nine months. He also underscored the importance of the Trilateral Young Rural Leaders’ Exchange Program (TREP), operated by the TCS since 2023, as a platform for connecting future generations in the agricultural sector.At the conclusion of the meeting, the ministers signed a Joint Communiqué outlining decisions on future cooperation. They agreed to further strengthen collaboration with the TCS to ensure steady progress under TAMM and its cooperation mechanisms. On the margins of the ministerial meeting, SG LEE paid bilateral courtesy calls on Ms. SONG Miryung, Mr. KOIZUMI Shinjiro, and Mr. HAN Jun.The Trilateral Agricultural Ministers’ Meeting was first convened in 2012 and has previously been held in April 2012 in the ROK, September 2015 in Japan, and November 2018 in China. The 5th TAMM will be hosted by Japan.▲ Group Photo▲ Meeting in progress▲ Ministers holding a Joint Communiqué▲SG LEE Hee-sup delivering opening remark▲ Opening video jointly produced by the TCS and MAFRA

The Trilateral Youth Summit (TYS) 2025 and its Closing Ceremony was held today in Kobe, Japan. The event was co-hosted by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, with support from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of China and the Republic of Korea.Under the theme “Designing a Future for All Generations: Solving Common Challenges for a Better Tomorrow,” a total of 48 undergraduate and graduate students from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea participated in the Trilateral Youth Summit, following a five-day intensive program. The summit was attended by youth observers, and featured officials from the three foreign ministries as well as representatives from Kobe City.At the Youth Summit, student delegations representing China, Japan, the ROK, and TCS presented the outcomes of their discussions, moderated by the head of the model Japanese delegation. Committee chairs outlined policy recommendations and future directions for trilateral cooperation in four key areas: People-to-People Exchange & Youth Education, Sustainable Development & Disaster Relief, Economic Cooperation, Technology & Local Revitalization, and Health & Ageing Society. The session concluded with the adoption of the Joint Statement of the Trilateral Youth Summit 2025. In the statement, the leaders of the three delegations recognized their partnership as a vital force for regional peace and prosperity and acknowledged common challenges like demographic shifts, climate change, and natural disaster. The summit reaffirmed their commitment to a stronger, more inclusive, and future-oriented partnership that serves the common interests of their nations.Throughout the five-day program, participants took part in expert lectures, a Mayoral Dialogue with the Mayor of Himeji, and cultural activities in the Kansai region, including visits to EXPO 2025 in Osaka. These experiences provided a comprehensive platform for policy simulation, regional learning, and cultural exchange.The Trilateral Youth Summit, launched in 2014 to promote mutual understanding and friendship among the youth of China, Japan, and the ROK, rotates annually among the three countries. TYS2026 is scheduled to take place in the People’s republic of China.▲Trilateral Youth Summit 2025▲The head of Japan delegation presiding over the meeting▲TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup delivering closing remarks▲Group photo