Introduction
The recent Trilateral summit in Seoul, South Korea, held on May 26-27, 2024, is seen a significant breakthrough in East Asian diplomacy.[i] Leaders from China, Japan and South Korea met after a long break since 2019.[ii] This summit is to declare the revival of long-sought Free Trade Agreement.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
The trilateral summit was first initiated to foster regional cooperation during the global financial crises and have been ongoing since 2008. [iii]They were many disruptions between these summits including the COVID and strained relations between these countries,[iv] as Japan and South Korea are allies of US and are sceptical of China’s military expansion, which China views as US attempt to contain China. The recent summit was much anticipated moment making potential improvement in far-fetched diplomacy to become a promise.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang focused on several key issues during their discussions. The primary agenda included economic cooperation, supply chain security, and the revival of FTA negotiations. The leaders agreed to meet annually, reinforcing the commitment to for recuring and sustained dialogue.[v]
Economic Cooperation and Trade
The main significant outcome of the summit was to resume their talk on trilateral FTA. These three countries are major economies of the world and could help create an Asian Union like the European Union and bring a lot of new trade opportunities as they are the manufacturing hub of the world. This FTA is seen as pathway for stability and growth after long impact of the pandemic. The summit highlights the need for protecting supply chain and promoting trade.[vi]
China has been facing strategic competition from U.S., where China condemned “politicizing trades” and “creating blocs” indirectly criticising Washington to imposing walls of restriction to deny Beijing access to semi-conductor.[vii] This is where China foots their sentiment of Asian-hood to cooperate with each other.
Security Concerns and Geopolitical Tensions
The summit also focused on geopolitical issues despite giving key importance to trade and commerce. The leaders have carefully highlighted topics such Taiwan Strait and North Korea’s nuclear ambition.[viii] Both South Korea and Japan have put their condemnation on North Korea’s satellite launch plans and emphasised the necessity to denuclearize North Korea.[ix] Meanwhile, China response was less docile, calling for all parties to exercise restraint” and work for a “political settlement.”[x]
Notably, President Yoon and Premier Li made agreement to resume the “2+2” security dialogue involving their foreign and defence ministries, signalling a potential reinforcement of security cooperation despite broader geopolitical challenges.[xi]
Cultural and Social Initiatives
In addition, the summit also focused on cultural and social initiatives. The leaders declared 2025 and 2026 as “years of cultural exchanges” to foster mutual understanding and allow syncretism. [xii]This aspect of the summit aims to bridges between the countries, complementing the more tangible economic and security agreements.
The U.S. Factor
The summit was not brought out in a vacuum, it was widely influenced by strategic dynamic of United Sates. Both South Korea and Japan are key allies of U.S., as they both are hosting Unites states American military presences.[xiii] The recent increase of military cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea have their aim contain China assertiveness in the region. This has led China to push for the summit for greater regional cooperation as counterbalance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the trilateral summit in Seoul represents a cautious but hopeful step towards deeper integration and cooperation among China, Japan, and South Korea. By focusing on economic collaboration and cultural exchanges, while carefully managing security issues, the three nations aim to create a more stable and prosperous East Asian region and the summit was medium to bind economic, political and social gaps.
Endnotes:
[i] Bartlett, Duncan “With Trilateral Summit, China, Japan, South Korea Look for a Reset,” The Diplomat, May 28, 2024, https://thediplomat.com/2024/05/with-trilateral-summit-china-japan-south-korea-look-for-a-reset/.
[ii] Ap, “Leaders of S Korea, China, Japan to Resume Trilateral Meeting in Seoul,” Www.Business-Standard.Com, May 27, 2024, https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/leaders-of-s-korea-china-japan-to-resume-trilateral-meeting-in-seoul-124052700048_1.html.
[iii] Al Jazeera, “China, South Korea Leaders Meet Before Trilateral Talks With Japan,” Al Jazeera, May 26, 2024, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/26/china-south-korea-leaders-meet-before-trilateral-talks-with-japan.
[iv] Express Web Desk, “China, Japan, South Korea Meet in First Trilateral Summit Since 2019; Here’s 5 Things to Know,” The Indian Express, May 29, 2024, https://indianexpress.com/article/world/china-japan-south-korea-trilateral-meet-5-things-to-know-9355518/.
[v] Bartlett, Duncan “With Trilateral Summit, China, Japan, South Korea Look for a Reset,” The Diplomat, May 28, 2024, https://thediplomat.com/2024/05/with-trilateral-summit-china-japan-south-korea-look-for-a-reset/.
[vi] Sang-Hun, Choe, “China, Japan and South Korea Hold Regional Summit Overshadowed by U.S.”, The New York Times, May 27, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/27/world/asia/china-japan-korea-trilateral.html
[vii] Sang-Hun, Choe, “China, Japan and South Korea Hold Regional Summit Overshadowed by U.S.”, The New York Times, May 27, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/27/world/asia/china-japan-korea-trilateral.html
[viii] Bartlett, Duncan “With Trilateral Summit, China, Japan, South Korea Look for a Reset,” The Diplomat, May 28, 2024, https://thediplomat.com/2024/05/with-trilateral-summit-china-japan-south-korea-look-for-a-reset/.
[ix] Bartlett, Duncan “With Trilateral Summit, China, Japan, South Korea Look for a Reset,” The Diplomat, May 28, 2024, https://thediplomat.com/2024/05/with-trilateral-summit-china-japan-south-korea-look-for-a-reset/.
[x] Sang-Hun, Choe, “China, Japan and South Korea Hold Regional Summit Overshadowed by U.S.”, The New York Times, May 27, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/27/world/asia/china-japan-korea-trilateral.html
[xi] Bartlett, Duncan “With Trilateral Summit, China, Japan, South Korea Look for a Reset,” The Diplomat, May 28, 2024, https://thediplomat.com/2024/05/with-trilateral-summit-china-japan-south-korea-look-for-a-reset/.
[xii] Sang-Hun, Choe, “China, Japan and South Korea Hold Regional Summit Overshadowed by U.S.”, The New York Times, May 27, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/27/world/asia/china-japan-korea-trilateral.html
[xiii] Sang-Hun, Choe, “China, Japan and South Korea Hold Regional Summit Overshadowed by U.S.”, The New York Times, May 27, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/27/world/asia/china-japan-korea-trilateral.html
By: Yamin Nabeel, Research Intern, CS3, USI