Wang Yi urges China, Japan, ROK to inject stability into regional development

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday called on China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to add stabilizing factors to regional development amid the chaotic global landscape.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting the press after the 11th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Wang told reporters that the three countries fully recognize the positive progress of trilateral cooperation since the ninth Trilateral Summit Meeting among China, Japan and the ROK.

The three countries agreed that, against the backdrop of intertwined changes in the international landscape and the weak recovery of the world economy, China, Japan and the ROK have the necessity and responsibility to further strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, and deepen cooperation to inject stability into the peaceful development of the region, he noted.

The Chinese foreign minister urged efforts to consolidate the momentum of cooperation, saying the three countries should cultivate new momentum and create new highlights based on the implementation of the six key areas of cooperation identified at last year's Trilateral Summit.

According to Wang, the three top diplomats had useful communication about holding the 10th Trilateral Summit Meeting among China, Japan, and the ROK within this year, agreeing to create favorable conditions and atmosphere for the Summit.

China, Japan and the ROK reached a consensus on promoting regional economic integration, Wang pointed out. He added that the three sides will continue to maintain communication on restarting negotiations on the trilateral free trade agreement, promoting the expansion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) membership, and maintaining the stability and smooth flow of the regional production and supply chain.

The three sides will keep pace with the times, build a scientific and technological innovation hub in Asia, and promote the development of new quality productivity forces, Wang noted.

The three sides also vowed to deepen exchanges and mutual understanding. With 2025-2026 designated as the China-Japan-ROK Year of Cultural Exchange, Wang said the three countries will organize relevant activities and strive to increase the number of people-to-people exchanges among the three countries to 40 million by 2030.

The three sides will also strengthen cooperation in the fields of social livelihood and green low-carbon development, bringing more and better benefits to the people of the three countries, Wang said.

Wang also stated that the three countries agreed to strengthen multilateral cooperation, pledging to adhere to multilateralism and free trade, and to push for an economic globalization that is more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.