2024 China-Japan-ROK Regional Cooperation and Development Forum held in Beijing

The International Forum on Regional Cooperation and Development of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea and The 21st Northeast Asia Management and Economics Joint Conference was held at Beijing Foreign Studies University on Friday. The event saw the participation of BFSU Vice-President Jia Dezhong, Deputy Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat Yan Liang, and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Daily Wang Hao, among others. Nine experts and scholars from around the world delivered keynote speeches on the theme of "China-Japan-ROK Economic Cooperation Based on Shared Culture, Technological Innovation, and Global Markets".

BFSU Vice-President Jia Dezhong highlighted the significant institutional framework of China-Japan-ROK cooperation in Northeast Asia in his opening speech, emphasizing comprehensive scope and rich content of trilateral cooperation. Jia noted that trilateral cooperation not only promotes trade and economic growth among the three countries but also boosts regional and global economic development. He stressed the importance of sustained collaboration for building a more open, inclusive, and balanced regional order.

In his opening speech, Yan Liang, deputy secretary-general of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat, remarked on the timeliness of the forum following the recent summit among the three heads of state, which reaffirmed the importance of revitalizing cooperation. He outlined the plans that were agreed for projects aimed at benefiting the populace, such as increasing travel exchanges, expanding the Collective Action for Mobility Program of University Students in Asia, accelerating free trade agreement negotiations, and strengthening supply chain cooperation.

Wang Hao, deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily, emphasized the critical role of China, Japan, and the ROK in global and regional stability and prosperity in his opening speech. He pointed out the challenges posed by historical grievances, current issues, and external interference, advocating for enhanced communication and cooperation under multilateral mechanisms to thaw and improve trilateral relations. Restarting the China-Japan-ROK free trade negotiations is essential to further open markets and boost trade and investment. Additionally, initiatives in the silver economy and tourism sectors can foster people-to-people connections. Ultimately, the shared goal of improving the well-being of their people is the common aspiration of the three countries.

In his keynote speech, Professor Pilsoo Choi of Sejong University emphasized the transformative impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative on global development aid, prompting a shift toward more pragmatic practices. He highlighted the potential for China, Japan, and the ROK to collaborate in development financing, especially in infrastructure. With their strong civil engineering sectors, low interest rates, culture emphasizing efficiency, and shared experience in economic growth, these countries can jointly address infrastructure gaps in developing nations.

Ni Yueju, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted the increasing competition among China, Japan, and the ROK in the global automobile market, particularly after China's leapfrog progress in the electric vehicle sector. Despite challenges from fluctuating China-US relations impacting the Japan and ROK auto supply chains, Ni emphasized opportunities for collaboration in battery development, market strategies, and supply chains. She called for strengthened cooperation at the governmental, intermediary, and corporate levels to drive innovation in the automotive industry, especially in smart connected vehicles and talent exchange. Ni also advocated for enhanced technical and R&D cooperation through market mechanisms to achieve mutual benefits.

In her keynote speech, Professor Nam Eunyoung of Dongguk University's global trade department emphasized the importance of China-ROK cooperation in high-tech industries amid the escalating China-US tech competition. She highlighted China's active development of the AI semiconductor industry and encouraged South Korean SMEs to engage with China's AI semiconductor clusters. Nam also stressed the role of local governments in fostering this cooperation to mitigate the impact of China-US tensions. Additionally, she underscored the importance of establishing global AI technology standards and suggested that China and the ROK work together to create these standards for mutual benefit.

The forum featured in-depth discussions on various topics, including technological competition, regional industrial policies, the silver economy and development financing. Experts stressed the importance of strategic technology development, support for SMEs, and international collaboration in areas such as AI and semiconductor industries.

Hosted by BFSU and China Daily, the forum was co-organized by multiple academic and research institutions, bringing together nearly 100 representatives from academia, industry, and youth organizations to explore the future of China-Japan-ROK cooperation.