Seoul, the thriving capital of South Korea, played host to a significant gathering on Monday: a trilateral meeting between the leaders of South Korea, China, and Japan. This meeting marked a resurgence of diplomacy, as it was the first of its kind in over four years.
The leaders of these three Northeast Asian nations – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida – engaged in a series of bilateral meetings on the eve of the trilateral summit. These meetings served as a platform to explore avenues for bolstering economic collaboration and fostering closer ties.
However, the discussions were not confined to economic matters alone. Thorny issues also found their way onto the agenda, including the volatile situation on the Korean Peninsula, the delicate balance in the Taiwan Strait, and the escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
Prime Minister Kishida seized the opportunity to convey Japan's deep concerns over China's assertive actions in the South China Sea, its crackdown on pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong, and the alleged human rights violations against the Uyghur minority in the Xinjiang region. He also closely monitored developments related to Taiwan, a self-governing island that China claims as its own territory.
President Yoon, in his separate meeting with Premier Li, highlighted North Korea's relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and its growing military alliance with Russia. He implored China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, to leverage its influence to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions and contribute to establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Despite these sensitive topics, officials from South Korea, the host of the trilateral meeting, emphasized that a joint statement following the gathering would primarily focus on areas of cooperation, such as cultural exchanges, climate change mitigation, trade, healthcare, technological advancements, and disaster response mechanisms.
The significance of this trilateral meeting cannot be understated. The three nations – South Korea, Japan, and China – collectively account for approximately 25% of the world's gross domestic product, and their economies are deeply intertwined. However, their relations have been strained by historical grievances stemming from Japan's wartime aggression during the first half of the 20th century. China's aspirations for greater global influence and the United States' efforts to strengthen its Asian alliances have further complicated the dynamics between these three countries.
South Korea and Japan, both key US allies in the region, have been bolstering their trilateral security partnership with the United States, a move that has drawn criticism from China. Historically, China has consistently sent its premier, the country's second-highest official, to these trilateral meetings. However, observers speculate that China may face growing pressure to send President Xi Jinping to future meetings, given his consolidation of power and departure from the norms of collective leadership.
The resumption of the trilateral leaders' meeting is widely seen as a positive step towards improving relations among South Korea, China, and Japan. The leaders of all three countries have expressed their commitment to fostering better ties, recognizing the importance of cooperation in addressing regional challenges and promoting economic growth.
The trilateral meeting was originally intended to be an annual event following its inception in 2008. However, the last meeting was held in December 2019 in Chengdu, China. The COVID-19 pandemic and the complex diplomatic landscape among the three countries contributed to the hiatus in these meetings.
Analysts believe that all three countries have a vested interest in improving their relations. China is the largest trading partner for both South Korea and Japan. China, on the other hand, is wary of the potential implications of a strengthened trilateral security partnership between South Korea, Japan, and the United States, fearing that it could undermine its own national interests.
The trilateral meeting in Seoul represents a renewed commitment to dialogue and cooperation among South Korea, China, and Japan. While significant challenges remain, the leaders of these three nations have demonstrated their willingness to engage in constructive discussions and explore avenues for collaboration. The success of this meeting could pave the way for more regular and productive trilateral engagements, ultimately contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in Northeast Asia.
