China, Japan, South Korea meet in first trilateral summit since 2019; here’s 5 things to know

The last trilateral summit was held in Chengdu, China in December 2019, post which COVID-19 struck and the meeting was stalled, which was supposed to be an annual event.

By: Express Web Desk
New Delhi | Updated: May 29, 2024 05:39 PM IST

3 min read

Japan China South Korea hold trilateral meet in Seoul.

The Chinese premier met South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Seoul with efforts to revitalise three-party free trade agreement negotiations. (AP photo)

In a major geopolitical development in the East Asia region, the Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Japan PM Fumio Kishida and host South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol met in a Trilateral Summit Meet in Seoul on Monday to discuss varied issues.

The meeting of the three leaders, after a delay of over four years, came at a time when the international community seems divided more than ever in the 21st century due to multiple war-zones across the globe.

The last trilateral summit, which was to be an annual event, was held in Chengdu, China in December 2019, post which, it was halted due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Here are 5 things to know about the trilateral meet:

1. Unstable Global World Order:

China’s approach to extend talks at the highest level with the US allies South Korea and Japan could be a sign of intent towards improving relations and seeing through the regional crisis.

2. Trade and Supply Chain:

Earlier, Covid impacted the supply chain of the trade routes, but post-pandemic, it is the aftermath of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Israel, Hamas and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, which has been affecting the business across the globe.

3. Issues Related to South China Sea

Japan’s PM Fumio Kishida told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting that China’s military assertiveness in the South China Sea was one of the issues addressed in the meeting with the Chinese premier.

4. North Korea Factor

The Japan PM and South Korea President in their meetings separately expressed their concerns regarding the nuclear programs of North Korea. China has been an ally of North Korea while Japan and South Korea boast to be an ally of the US. Japan and South Korea have been urging China to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear programs. Though Beijing hasn’t fully imposed the UN Sanctions on its ally, Pyongyang.

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5. Economic and other Cooperation

The three countries which are manufacturing and technology hubs can get business transformed post the meet. With the US shadow in the backdrop of business deals, China asked Japan and South Korea to safeguard the stability of their industrial and supply chains and avoid turning business and trade issues into political issues.

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