TCS

On May 17, the 1st “Trilateral + X” Cooperation Think Tank Forum co-hosted by Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS), Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR) and Yonsei University and supported by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) was held in Shanghai, China. The forum was themed “Enhancing Regional Resilience: Pathways for East Asian Cooperation in Turbulent Times”. TCS Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup attended the forum and delivered an opening remark. More than 30 experts from China, Japan, the ROK and ASEAN participated in the forum and shared insights on political, economic and social-cultural cooperation in East Asia.In the opening session, TCS SG LEE introduced the achievements of decades of trilateral cooperation, as well as the efforts made by the TCS since it was eastablished in 2011. He pointed out that the whole region and the world is undergoing turbulent changes and uncertainties, so that the three countries should work together and explore more opportunities of enhancing common interests and combating common challenges, such as aging population, public health, disaster management, climate change and so on. He emphasized that the TCS would like to further strengthen its cooperation with think tanks of the three countries and beyond to create more platforms for mutual intellectual exchanges in the region and provide more wisdom support for future “Trilareral+X” cooperation.Witnessed by the TCS Secretary-General, the representatives of SIIS, JFIR and Yonsei University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for future cooperation and rotaitionaly holding the forum in the three countries.▲SG LEE delivering opening remark▲Signing Ceromony of the MOU on Trilateral Think Tank Cooperation▲Group Photo

On May 17, the Opening Ceremony of the China-Japan-Korea Health and Wellness University Alliance & International Academic Conference 2025 was held in Dalian. Over 500 participants, including experts and representatives from 55 universities and institutions across China, Japan, and Korea, attended the event. Chen Shaowang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Dalian Municipal Committee and Mayor of Dalian; Zhao Lei, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of China’s Ministry of Education; and Wang Qingdong, Director-General of the Liaoning Provincial Department of Education, delivered opening remarks. Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) was invited to deliver a speech.▲Group PhotoSecretary-General LEE noted that Northeast Asia is the fastest-aging region in the world, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and inclusive social support systems. He welcomed the launch of the Alliance as a concrete step toward implementing the outcomes of the Trilateral Summit and Trilateral Education Ministers’ Meeting (TEDMM), and emphasized its importance in promoting university cooperation, public health, and regional sustainable development.▲Secretary-General LEE Delivering a SpeechThe Alliance aims to strengthen collaboration among universities in the field of health and wellness and address demographic challenges through joint research, academic exchange, and capacity building. Initiated by Dalian Medical University with support from China’s Ministry of Education, the Alliance was first proposed at the 2024 China-Japan-Korea University Forum on Health and Wellness.▲The Opening Ceremony of China-Japan- Korea Health and Wellness University Alliance

On May 14, 2025, Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) convened with Director-General PARK Young-seo of the International Administrative Cooperation Bureau at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) of the Republic of Korea. The meeting focused on enhancing trilateral collaboration in disaster management among China, Japan, and South Korea. A central topic of discussion was the forthcoming 8th Trilateral Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management, scheduled to be hosted by China. This biennial meeting serves as a platform for the three nations to share best practices, coordinate policies, and strengthen joint responses to natural disasters. The previous meeting was held virtually in July 2022.SG LEE also provided an overview of the upcoming Inter-Regional Dialogue on Disaster Risk Reduction, set to take place from July 7 to 9, 2025, in Kobe, Japan. The dialogue is part of TCS's ongoing efforts to foster regional cooperation in disaster risk reduction.Both parties agreed to continue working closely to ensure the success of the upcoming ministerial meeting and the Inter-Regional Dialogue.▲SG LEE Hee-sup with Director-General PARK Young-seo

On May 14, 2025, Deputy Secretary-General YAN Liang of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) delivered a special lecture titled “Joining Hands to Meet Challenges: A Prime Time for Trilateral Cooperation” at Sogang University. The lecture covered a broad spectrum of topics, including the work environment at the TCS, the unique aspects of working in an international organization, key qualities required of staff, and practical guidance on gaining relevant work experience and enhancing language skills. Participating students were deeply engaged throughout the session and expressed that they found the lecture highly inspiring and informative. On the sidelines of the lecture, YAN Liang held a meeting with Professor KIM Hyun-Dong, Dean of the Graduate School of International Studies at Sogang University, to discuss potential avenues for academic collaboration and student program between the university and the TCS.