TCS

In a recent interview with China Trade News1 during the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), TCS Secretary-General OU Boqian sent her congratulations to CCPIT and stressed that “TCS wishes to continue cooperating with CCPIT. In the context of RCEP, the two organizations shall tap the potential of trilateral economic and trade cooperation, promote supply chain connectivity, and advocate the liberalization of trade and investment.”SG OU introduced that TCS and CCPIT/CCOIC2 has had long-term partnership which can be traced back to the establishment of TCS. The two organizations have cooperated on supporting trilateral cooperation mechanism, such as Trilateral Business Summit, supporting trilateral business exchange among enterprises, supporting economic and trade cooperation among local governments, and promoting East Asian regional economic cooperation. SG OU recalled her attendance of the 7th China-Japan-Korea Industrial Expo and its main forum, which was a demonstration of cooperation between TCS and CCPIT/CCOIC in promoting trilateral economic cooperation. “TCS has been a co-organizer or a supporting organization for the Expo since the launch of the Expo in 2015. This year we have officially accepted the invitation from CCPIT/CCOIC to be a co-organizer of the main forum of the Expo. We look forward to closer cooperation with CCPIT and CCOIC.”The year of 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the ROK, the beginning of the second decade of TCS, and 70th anniversary of CCPIT. SG OU expressed that taking this opportunity, she would like to strengthen collaboration between TCS and CCPIT in further contributing to trilateral and regional economic cooperation. Interview article by China Trade News :https://www.chinatradenews.com.cn//content/202205/19/c147005.html1. China Trade News is the media institution directly affiliated to the CCPIT.2. CCOIC stands for China Chamber of International Commerce. It is affiliated to CCPIT and is a nationwide chamber of commerce comprised of enterprises, groups and other business organizations that are engaged in international commercial activities in China.▲SG OU Boqian receiving phone interview by the China Trade News

On May 19, 2022, the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) organized the Launching Ceremony for the first China-Japan-Korea (CJK) Marathon 2022 Virtual Run at the Jamsil Sports Complex Auxiliary Stadium. The marathon event is held during May 13~29th, 2022. During the ceremony, Deputy Chief and Minister Mr. FANG Kun from Chinese Embassy, Minister Mr. CHUJO Kazuo from Japanese Embassy, and Deputy Director General Ms. SEO Min-jeong from the ROK MOFA gave congratulatory remarks. Several CJK media and marathon participants residing in Seoul also attended the ceremony and celebrated the fresh beginning of the CJK Virtual Marathon. At the end of the ceremony, three teams consisting of TCS staff and CJK diplomats ran a relay race, demonstrating the trilateral cooperation through sports. This marathon event is the first sports event organized and promoted by the TCS to create a platform for the people of China, Japan, and Korea to communicate and expand mutual understanding through running. One hundred people from each CJK country (300 total) are participating in this year’s event virtually, as they run races at self-designated times and places in China, Japan, and Korea. While the participation fee is free, participants must upload a self-introduction and race testimonials on the official website. Through various contents posted on the homepage bulletin boards, the participants and general public of the three countries can broaden understanding of each other's marathon culture and support each other. In particular, participants may also check the scenery of each country and city through the introduction of the marathon course posted by other participants, allowing them to explore potential places to visit when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.Link to the official homepage: tcs-marathon.com▲Opening remarks by SG OU Boqian▲Congratulatory remarks by Deputy Chief and Minister Mr. FANG Kun from Chinese Embassy▲Congratulatory remarks by Minister Mr. CHUJO Kazuo from Japanese Embassy▲Congratulatory remarks by Deputy Director General Ms. SEO Min-jeong from ROK MOFA▲Relay race performance▲Relay race performance▲Final runners finishing the relay race▲Closing remarks by DSG SAKATA Natsuko▲Group photo for nine runners consisted of CJK diplomats and TCS staffs

On 13 May 2022, TCS Secretary-General Amb. OU Boqian had an online meeting with Mr. QIN Zi, initiator of Crested Ibis International Forum and editor-in-chief of the News Portal Sina Shannxi. The two sides had in-depth discussion on the status quo and future development of the Trilateral Cooperation. Mr. QIN Zi first of all thanked the TCS for rendering full support to the trilateral exchanges among the civil societies of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, underscoring that the bottom-up approach forms an important driver to the Trilateral Cooperation and the trilateral relations among the three neighboring countries. Recalling his early days in overcoming difficulties to bring the Crested Ibis International Forum from scratch to real, he emphasized that the Crested Ibis is a real symbol of friendship and unity of the three countries. He extended his hope to co-host with the TCS the 3rd Forum in Sado, Japan when the travel restrictions are lifted. He expressed his concern over the descending mutual perceptions among the people of the three countries in recent years, attributing such to the lack of understandings among the youth as well as a shortage of effective communications among media outlets. To that end, he spoke highly of TCS’ endeavors on the exchange programs for the younger generations and he journalists, and reaffirmed his commitment to further working with the TCS in promoting “Lasting Peace, Common Prosperity and Shared Culture.” Secretary-General OU highly appreciated Mr. QIN Zi for his long-time devotion to the Trilateral Cooperation. Highlighting the true and concerted efforts made by China, Japan and the Republic of Korea to rescue the once endangered Crested Ibis, she said it would be very meaningful to carry out more cultural exchange activities themed the Crested Ibis and relevant icons, which would create resonance and spur people’s affinity. Regarding mutual perception improvement as one of the core tasks of the TCS nowadays, she briefed on TCS’ efforts to bring the younger generations of the three countries together by carrying out numerous exchange programs, including the Trilateral Youth Speech Contest, Young Ambassador Program, Trilateral Youth Summit. She introduced the ongoing project to form up a Trilateral Youth Exchange Network, an integrated platform that incorporates all TCS’ youth projects and provides opportunities to deepen the mutual understandings among youth. She also mentioned on the role and responsibility of the media in that regard, adding that the TCS is upgrading its journalist exchange program featured with solution-oriented workshop. She extended her expectation to work together to solidify the foundation of Shared Culture in the region. Both sides also explored opportunities of cooperation via new media approaches.▲Secretary-General OU Boqian (right) exchanging views with Mr. QIN Zi, the Initiator of Crested Ibis International Forum

On May 11, 2022, Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) SG OU Boqian paid a courtesy visit to Vice Executive President of Korea International Trade Association (KITA), Mr. SHIN Seung Kwan, to formally extend an invitation to Mr. SHIN to attend the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation 2022 (IFTC 2022), which will be held on June 14, 2022, in Seoul, Korea.SG OU firstly expressed her sincere appreciation to Mr. SHIN for accepting TCS’ invitation to IFTC 2022. She underlined past cooperation history between TCS and KITA, and explained the roles and functions of TCS in trilateral cooperation. Furthermore, SG OU briefed Mr. SHIN on the upcoming IFTC, in which he will participate as a speaker. She emphasized that IFTC plays a crucial role in exchanging political, economic, and socio-cultural policy advice among the three countries.Mr. SHIN responded by expressing his gratitude to SG OU for visiting KITA and also for the invitation to IFTC. Mr. SHIN spoke highly of TCS’ endeavor to strengthen trilateral ties in difficult times and expressed his interest to learn more about trilateral cooperation in the future.The meeting concluded with both organizations reassuring their commitment to further cooperation in the near future.▲SG OU and Vice Executive President SHIN▲Meeting photo