Asia
The Eighth Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting
August 24, 2016
The Eighth Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting between Japan, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea was convened in Tokyo from 11:00am to 12:30pm on Wednesday, August 24th. Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China and Mr. Yun Byung-se, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea attended the meeting. The outline of the meeting is as follows.
1 Trilateral Cooperation
The three Ministers acknowledged that there has been steady progress in trilateral cooperation in various areas. They also discussed the current status and future directions of specific cooperation in the following areas on which they have agreed to further strengthen cooperation at the Trilateral Summit and the Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting last year.
（1）The three Ministers shared the view that they would further cooperate in the fields of environment, disaster management, youth exchange and economy. Regarding disaster management, Minister Kishida emphasized that it is an important policy issue for Japan, and introduced the "The High School Students Summit on 'World Tsunami Awareness Day'", which will be held in November. He also appreciated the efforts in the Trilateral Heads of Government Agency Meeting on Disaster Management and the Trilateral Table Top Exercise (TTX) on Disaster Management. Regarding environment, he referred to the Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting held in Shizuoka in April and affirmed to broaden cooperation. Regarding youth exchange, he introduced the Trilateral Youth Summit being held in Japan and emphasized the importance to promote mutual understanding between youths. He also expressed his intention to move forward on the negotiations of the trilateral FTA and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to reach an agreement.
（2）The three Ministers reaffirmed the significance of exchanging opinions on Africa, counterterrorism, and Middle Eastern affairs among the experts. Minister Kishida introduced the TICADVI which is to be held in Africa for the first time. He also pointed out the importance of discussing counterterrorism measures trilaterally, as the threat of terrorism increases.
（1）The three Ministers shared the view that they would further cooperate in the fields of environment, disaster management, youth exchange and economy. Regarding disaster management, Minister Kishida emphasized that it is an important policy issue for Japan, and introduced the "The High School Students Summit on 'World Tsunami Awareness Day'", which will be held in November. He also appreciated the efforts in the Trilateral Heads of Government Agency Meeting on Disaster Management and the Trilateral Table Top Exercise (TTX) on Disaster Management. Regarding environment, he referred to the Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting held in Shizuoka in April and affirmed to broaden cooperation. Regarding youth exchange, he introduced the Trilateral Youth Summit being held in Japan and emphasized the importance to promote mutual understanding between youths. He also expressed his intention to move forward on the negotiations of the trilateral FTA and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to reach an agreement.
（2）The three Ministers reaffirmed the significance of exchanging opinions on Africa, counterterrorism, and Middle Eastern affairs among the experts. Minister Kishida introduced the TICADVI which is to be held in Africa for the first time. He also pointed out the importance of discussing counterterrorism measures trilaterally, as the threat of terrorism increases.
2 Regional and Global Situations
（1）The three Ministers shared the view that the repeated provocations by North Korea, including the launch of a ballistic missile which was considered to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in the morning of the 24th, are totally unacceptable, and affirmed that the three countries would lead the efforts of the international community, including the UN Security Council. Also, Minister Kishida called on the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea for understanding and cooperation on the abductions issue.
（2）The three Ministers affirmed to build cooperative relationship within the multi-layered forum of East Asia and agreed to continue efforts for further integration of the ASEAN community. They also expressed cooperation for the G20 Hangzhou Summit to be held in the People's Republic of China in September.
（2）The three Ministers affirmed to build cooperative relationship within the multi-layered forum of East Asia and agreed to continue efforts for further integration of the ASEAN community. They also expressed cooperation for the G20 Hangzhou Summit to be held in the People's Republic of China in September.
3 Trilateral Summit Meeting
The three Ministers agreed to continue its cooperation so that the outcome of the Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting will be led to the Trilateral Summit which is to be held in Japan this year.