On March 22, 2025 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi jointly attended the 11th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Cho Tae-yul in Tokyo.

Wang Yi said, China-Japan-ROK cooperation is one of the cooperation frameworks with the deepest foundation, the highest degree of institutionalization and the greatest potential for development in East Asia. Since its inception more than 20 years ago, trilateral cooperation has yielded positive results, which has not only benefited the peoples of the three countries and their respective development, but also promoted regional stability and economic integration process. Thanks to the joint efforts of the three countries, new progress has been made in the cooperation in the six key areas identified at the ninth Trilateral Summit Meeting among China, Japan and the ROK. Facts have proven that the more solid the China-Japan-ROK cooperation, the stronger the ability of the three countries to withstand risks, the stronger the foundation for empowering development, and the more effective it will be to promote mutual understanding and friendship among the peoples.

Wang Yi said, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, as well as the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Only by sincerely reflecting on history can the countries truly create the future. The three countries should review the consensus of "facing history squarely and looking to the future", stick to the original intention of cooperation and promote the China-Japan-ROK cooperation to achieve the effect of "1+1+1>3" for the benefit of the three countries, the region and the world.

Wang Yi stressed that we are bound to encounter headwinds, but being undeterred by them is a state of mind. To achieve steady and lasting trilateral cooperation, it is essential to create a virtuous cycle of mutual reinforcement with bilateral relations. In particular, the three countries need to respect each other's core interests, properly manage differences and disputes, and continuously build consensus, cultivate momentum, as well as deepen and elevate cooperation on the basis of maintaining sound and steady bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Japan and the ROK to upgrade China-Japan-ROK cooperation under the new circumstances and make it more mature, stable and resilient.

First, deepen economic and trade cooperation and strengthen its role as the "ballast stone". Negotiations on the China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Agreement should be resumed at an early date to reach an agreement, expand mutual trade and investment, set up a trilateral dialogue mechanism on export controls, and maintain the stability and smooth flow of industrial and supply chains.

Second, promote scientific and technological innovation to stimulate new drivers for growth. In line with the principle of openness and cooperation, China, Japan and the ROK will share innovation opportunities and enable new quality productive forces to better empower the high-quality development of the three countries. A trilateral dialogue mechanism on digital economy cooperation will be established. Japan and the ROK are welcome to actively participate in the China-Japan-ROK Innovation Cooperation Center that China is planning to establish.

Third, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges and consolidate public support. The three countries will strive to increase the number of mutual visits to 40 million by 2030, ensure the success of the China-Japan-ROK Year of Cultural Exchange from 2025 to 2026, continue to build the brands of the "Culture City of East Asia" and "CAMPUS Asia", carry forward the fine traditional culture of East Asia, and promote mutual understanding and friendship among the peoples.

Fourth, respond to common challenges and promote sustainable development. The three countries will deepen cooperation in healthy aging, medical and health care, new energy, green development and ecological and environmental protection, strengthen cooperation in disaster management, police and counterterrorism, and jointly address non-traditional security challenges.

Wang Yi said that at present, changes unseen in a century are accelerating, global economic growth remains sluggish, geopolitical conflicts are intensifying and the World Openness Index keeps declining. China, Japan and the ROK, as important countries in the Asia-Pacific and major economies in the world, should adhere to the general direction of an open economy, jointly hold high the banner of free trade, firmly safeguard the rule-based multilateral trading system, foster an open, inclusive and non-discriminatory international economic environment, and promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. The three countries should actively promote regional cooperation and development, jointly support the building of the ASEAN Community, create more Trilateral+X Cooperation projects, and inject strong impetus into the development of East Asia cooperation with the vitality of trilateral cooperation. Wang Yi called on the three countries to practice the new vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and jointly safeguard regional peace and world tranquility. He also noted that the three countries should carry forward the Oriental tradition of honoring commitments, adhere to independence, unity and self-reliance, and take the future of Asia into their own hands.

The foreign ministers of the three countries had an in-depth exchange of views on China-Japan-ROK cooperation as well as regional and international issues, and made preparations for the 10th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting, believing that the three countries should jointly maintain the momentum of China-Japan-ROK cooperation, advance practical cooperation in the six key areas in a comprehensive and balanced manner with a focus on the Trilateral Cooperation Vision for the Next Decade, explore new areas of cooperation and expand future-oriented cooperation on the basis of maintaining continuity. The three countries also agreed to continue to deepen people-to-people and culture exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and mutual trust, continuously enrich trilateral practical cooperation in various fields, and work for more new outcomes that benefit the peoples of the three countries and the region.