S Korea, Japan, China Foreign Ministers to Convene in Tokyo for Trilateral Talks

Top diplomats from South Korea, Japan, and China will meet in Tokyo to enhance trilateral cooperation. The March 22 meeting focuses on economic collaboration and demographic challenges, with plans for future summits and bilateral discussions. Issues regarding fisheries product imports will also be addressed, building on prior agreements to deepen trade ties and promote denuclearization efforts on the Korean Peninsula.

The foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan, and China are scheduled to convene in Tokyo this weekend, as confirmed by Seoul. This meeting is aimed at enhancing regional cooperation among the three nations. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul will meet Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss various matters regarding trilateral collaboration, as stated by Seoul’s Foreign Ministry.

This gathering, set for March 22, marks the 11th trilateral ministerial meeting—following the previous meeting held in Busan, South Korea, in November 2023. In addition to the primary discussions, bilateral talks will also take place on the sidelines of the summit, which presents an opportunity for deeper dialogue.

According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, the agenda is expected to revolve around enhancing cooperation in several domains, including people-to-people exchanges, economic collaboration, and strategies to address the declining birthrate. Furthermore, the ministers plan to coordinate efforts for a future summit among the three nations later this year.

Tokyo aims to resolve lingering bilateral issues, particularly concerning China’s suspension of imports of Japanese fisheries products. The upcoming talks follow a rare summit held in Seoul in May of the previous year, which was the first high-level dialogue in five years, reaffirming commitments to strengthen trade relations and promoting the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in response to North Korea’s nuclear status.

The forthcoming trilateral meeting of foreign ministers from South Korea, Japan, and China in Tokyo signifies ongoing efforts to strengthen regional ties and cooperation. With a focus on addressing various issues, including economic collaboration and demographic challenges, this summit represents a critical step towards enhancing diplomatic relations. The intent to resolve existing bilateral disputes further highlights the importance of continued dialogue among these neighboring nations.

Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com