The foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan, and China have recently met to discuss the revival of their trilateral summit after a four-year break. The aim of the meeting was to explore ways to promote cooperation among the three East Asian countries. According to AP, these nations together account for nearly a quarter of the global economy.

Despite their geographical proximity and interconnected economies, the three countries face obstacles to trilateral cooperation. Historical disputes between Japan and South Korea have strained relations between the two, while military competition between China and the United States and its allies has also complicated matters.

This trilateral meeting was the first since 2019, creating an opportunity for the foreign ministers to discuss the preparations for resuming the trilateral summit. Key points of discussion included enhancing practical cooperation and addressing regional and international issues, such as the North Korean nuclear problem.

Trilateral cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and China was expected to continue annually after the first summit in 2008. However, recent years have seen a significant strain in their relationship, with cooperation practically halted since 2019. The issues at hand are complex and involve sensitive matters, including the trade war between China and the United States.

Nevertheless, some observers remain hopeful. The recent virtual meeting between China’s President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden of the United States, held in Seoul, Tokyo, and Beijing, expressed a willingness to ease tensions. This development could potentially create an opportunity for trilateral cooperation among the three East Asian nations.