Xinhua News Agency in Seoul April 29 electric

Interview: Shaping enhance trilateral cooperation in East Asia in the new future - Interview with Deputy Secretary-General Cao Jing trilateral cooperation secretariat

  Xinhua News Agency reporter Du Baiyu and Lu Rui

  In 2011, the governments of China, Japan and South Korea established a permanent international organization in Seoul to deepen cooperation among the three countries-the China-Japan-Korea Cooperation Secretariat.

This year coincides with the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Secretariat. The foreign ministers of the three countries have sent letters of congratulations.

The Secretariat also organized a series of commemorative activities.

Recently, Cao Jing, Deputy Secretary-General of the Secretariat, accepted a joint written interview with a number of Chinese media.

  Cao Jing said that the secretariat was born in the tide of economic globalization and regional economic integration. It is an important symbol of the institutionalization of cooperation among the three countries, and it is also a phased achievement of the three countries' strengthening cooperation.

Over the past ten years, the secretariat has resonated with the trend of the times for the development of cooperation among the three countries, closely following the purpose of serving the cooperation of the three countries, and organizing a series of colorful activities pioneeringly to enhance mutual understanding, exchanges and friendship between all walks of life.

  Cao Jing said that the cooperation between China, Japan and South Korea is the thruster of East Asia cooperation and has achieved considerable development. The significance and results can be roughly divided into four aspects.

  First, it has a global impact.

The three countries are close neighbors and major economies with important influence in the world. The total population, total economic volume and total trade account for about one-fifth of the world’s total. The negotiation of trade agreements is the main leader of regional economic integration and promotes regional and world economic growth.

  Second, carry out mutually beneficial cooperation.

The three countries are each other's main trading partners. The mutual trade volume in 2020 will reach 670 billion U.S. dollars, bringing important opportunities for the development of the three countries.

Even in 2020, when global trade is shrinking overall, the economic and trade cooperation between the three countries will still make new progress, which is hard-won.

  Third, promote innovative cooperation.

The trilateral cooperation started with economy, trade, environmental protection, etc., and gradually covered many fields such as health, culture and education, disaster management, and local exchanges, with a solid foundation and a sound system.

The three countries seized the opportunity of the fourth industrial revolution, strengthened cooperation in science and technology and innovation, and created a new regional economic ecology.

Unanimously agreed to carry out "China, Japan, South Korea + X" cooperation, extend the extension of cooperation, and promote the common development of the region and the world.

  Fourth, deepen mutual learning exchanges.

China, Japan and South Korea have jointly nurtured East Asian civilizations and have carried out long-term, large-scale, diverse and unique cultural exchanges, involving text, tea, song and dance, film and television, etc., presenting a magnificent situation of blooming flowers and striving for beauty, in order to deepen the three-nation cooperation It provides a good social environment and conveys the oriental cultural concept of harmonious coexistence to the world.

  Cao Jing said that since last year, the people of China, Japan and South Korea have united in the fight against the epidemic. They have made many heart-warming actions and deepened friendship. This is an important force in promoting the sustainable development of China, Japan and South Korea cooperation.

The three countries took the lead in resuming work and production, playing an active role in maintaining global economic stability.

  Cao Jing said that the current China-Japan-ROK cooperation is also facing some difficulties and challenges, including the increasing complexity and instability of the international and regional situation, the ups and downs of bilateral relations caused by the old problems and new challenges between the three countries, and the continuous recurrence of the new crown epidemic.

Only by strengthening communication and deepening mutual trust can we effectively manage differences, promote cooperation, turn the crisis into an opportunity for cooperation, and create a more mature and resilient friendly relationship.

Cooperation between China, Japan and South Korea still has huge room for development. It is expected that the three countries will continue to lead the anti-epidemic cooperation, expand the cooperation cake, deepen cooperation in health, science and technology, environmental protection, economy and trade, humanities and other fields, and jointly build a healthy East Asia, a digital East Asia, a green East Asia, and a harmonious East Asia. .

  Cao Jing stated that the Secretariat is standing at the new starting point of "Every tenth of the year", and will continue to work hard, tap the potential, promote more efficient, standardized, orderly and institutionalized cooperation, and contribute wisdom and strength to shaping a better future in this region. .