TCS

On August 9, TCS Secretary-General OU Boqian delivered a pre-recorded video congratulatory remarks to the opening ceremony of the 2022 Belt and Road media forum at the invitation.SG OU said in her remarks that at a time when the world is more interdependent but increasingly beset by changes, the only way out is to advance cooperation by upholding solidarity, openness and multilateralism. She talked about the direction of Trilateral Cooperation for a post-pandemic world and emphasized the importance of Trilateral Cooperation from a country level, regional level and international level. She reaffirmed the TCS’ commitment to promote Lasting Peace, Common Prosperity and Shared Culture. The forum was hosted by The People's Daily, the Shaanxi provincial Party committee and the Shaanxi provincial government. Under the theme of “Embrace Global Development Initiative and Deeper Connectivity”, the forum had two sub-forums: Belt and Road Regional Cooperation, and Media Dialogue on Global Development Initiative. More than 120 Chinese and foreign media representatives from more than 40 countries and organizations participated in the forum live, on video and through written speeches.▲2022 Belt and Road media forum▲Secretary-General Amb. OU Boqian deliveres video remarks

The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) hosted the 7th Trilateral Journalist Exchange Program in South Korea from July 31 to August 5, 2022, under the theme of “Solutions Journalism for a Sustainable Future-Building.” This is the first offline program TCS has hosted ever since the pandemic. 12 reporters, 10 speakers and commentators from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea joined the program.Through multiple lectures, reporters have acquired the knowledge on Solution Journalisms, especially with the focus on the two topics “Disaster Risk Management” and “Descending Mutual Perception.” By focusing on the response to a social problem in an objective way, reporting with evidence and insights to the response, Solutions Journalism intents to increase the circulation of knowledge necessary for the citizens. In addition, through in-depth discussions, reporters have become more and more mindful of a sense of mutual perception among the three countries. During the program, reporters have also gained a better understanding of the Trilateral Cooperation and TCS. Speaking at the closing ceremony, TCS Secretary-General OU Boqian gave emphasis on the profound importance of Trilateral Cooperation under current dynamic changes of regional and international landscapes, highlighted TCS’ efforts to harness the common culture assets to foster a solid foundation of public opinion for the good of the lasting peace and common prosperity of the region, and called for joint endeavors of media community towards a amicable and future-oriented trilateral relationship. The week-long TJEP program includes offline lecture on Solutions Journalism provided by LEE Kyuwon from the Solutions Journalism Network; an online lecture on Introduction on Disaster Risk Reduction & Cooperation in East Asia by Prof. Rajib SHAW from Keio University, Japan; media training at the UNDRR Office for Northeast Asia (ONEA) and Global Education and Training Institute (GETI) for Disaster Risk Reduction by Sanjaya BHATIA, Head of UNDRR ONEA & GETI; online lecture on Descending Mutual Perceptions among CJK People and Reasons Behind by YANG Bojiang from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; an offline lecture on Common Cultural Assets as Incentives on Mutual Perceptions by ZHOU Yubo, CEO of People’s Daily Online Korea, and SAKAGUCHI Hirohiko, Seoul Bureau Chief of the Mainichi Newspaper; and an offline lecture on Ways for Media to Address the Issue of Descending Mutual Perceptions by LEE Jeonghwan, CEO of Media Today.The TJEP was initiated by TCS in 2014 to enhance CJK journalists’ understanding of the three neighboring countries, and to foster an amicable atmosphere for Trilateral Cooperation and trilateral media cooperation. It operates in various forms like workshops, symposiums, field visits and joint interviews around the three countries. So far, TCS has organized six rounds of TJEP till 2019 and an online symposium in 2021. About 100 media practitioners from the three countries have benefited from this program.▲Group photo at the opening ceremony▲Reporters visit the National Museum of Korea▲Media training at UNDRR▲Solution Journalism training at TCS office▲Lectures on mutual perception at TCS office▲Group photo on Closing Ceremony

On 27 July 2022, Director YAMAMOTO Masumi from Department of Economic Affairs participated in the Pre-TEMM23 (The 23rd Tripartite Environment Ministers’ Meeting) Working-level Meeting held online. Directors from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Ministry of the Environment of Japan, Ministry of Environment of the ROK attended the meeting to discuss preparation toward the TEMM23 that will be hosted by China.In his opening remarks, Director YAMAMOTO appreciated the host country for their efforts to prepare for the TEMM23 amidst continuing challenges of the pandemic and noted that TCS is ready to provide support for the ministries. TCS also reported about its upcoming project implemented in close collaboration with the relevant departments of the three parties.During the meeting, the three parties discussed the TEMM23 arrangements, reviewed implementation progress of the Tripartite Joint Action Plan (TJAP) 2021-2025 and reaffirmed their commitment for cooperation under the 8 priority areas including climate change, biodiversity and public awareness. TCS will continue to support these efforts to enhance trilateral cooperation in environmental protection.▲Group photo of the meeting

On July 22, 2022, TCS Secretary-General Amb. OU Boqian met with Mr. PARK Jong-tae, President of the Incheon National University (INU), at the latter’s office. Vice President of External Affairs LEE Hochul, Director of International Office CHOI Juneyoung, Director of Chinese Studies Academy AHN Chiyoung, Dean of Japanese Language and Literature Department NAM Sangwook, and Associate Professor of Northeast Asian Studies School KIM Jiyoung of the University attended the meeting as well.SG OU gave an introduction to the INU delegation about the Trilateral Cooperation and TCS. Underscoring the far-reaching importance of trilateral youth exchanges to the future-oriented relations among the three neighboring countries, she elaborated the youth projects under TCS’ new initiative ‘Trilateral Youth Exchange Network,’ as well as TCS’ efforts to facilitate CJK students exchanges under ‘CAMPUS Asia’. She expected to cooperate with the Incheon National University in various areas regarding youth.President PARK extended a warm welcome to SG OU and the TCS delegation. Appreciating TCS’ role to promote pragmatic Trilateral Cooperation and carry out various youth exchange programs, INU echoed TCS’ view for the necessity of a strengthened trilateral youth cooperation. They proposed cooperation with TCS in specific areas such as symposiums and student internship opportunities.▲TCS Secretary-General Amb. OU Boqian with Incheon National University President PARK Jongtae▲Meeting Room Overview▲Group Photo