On July 3, 2023, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) 2023 in Qingdao.

Wang Yi pointed out that the three countries should uphold independence and seek strength through unity. Facts have proven that only countries who remain independent can take more initiative, and gain respect from the international community. Only regions seeking strength through unity can remove external disturbance and achieve sustained development.

China will continue to pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, make its own judgment on the merits of each matter, and stay committed to living in harmony with Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and other countries in the region, to achieve common rejuvenation. China respects the development of relations by Japan or the ROK with other countries in the world, but no relations should be used to contain or even suppress neighboring countries.