A forum between China, Japan and South Korea is opening in eastern Chinese city of Qingdao on July 3. Prominent figures and senior politicians from the three nations are taking part in the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation to propose solutions to common problems. Both South Korea and Japan are close allies of the U.S., and multiple separate and joint military exercises have been held among the three countries. Professor Wang Yiwei at the School of International Studies of Renmin University says the US-led vertical alliance system undermines China-Japan-South Korea cooperation.