TCS

TCS Secretary-General LEE Heesup attended the 15th General Assembly of the Association of North East Asia Regional Governments (NEAR) on June 11-12, 2025, in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.On June 11, he participated in a courtesy meeting with Liaoning Governor WANG Xinwei, along with other delegation members. SG LEE expressed sincere appreciation to Liaoning Province for hosting the event and extended his best wishes for the continued success of NEAR and all participating local governments. At the opening ceremony on June 12, SG LEE delivered congratulatory remarks, commending NEAR’s growth into one of the most dynamic platforms for local government cooperation in the region. He emphasized that, amid rising geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty, regional solidarity and grassroots dialogue remain more vital than ever. He also noted that the longstanding partnership between NEAR and TCS is like “the two wheels of a bicycle,” working together to promote peace, prosperity, and people-to-people connection across Northeast Asia. TCS will continue to deepen its partnership with NEAR and support joint efforts for sustainable regional development.▲SG LEE meeting with Governor WANG Xinwei▲SG’s Congratulatory Remarks▲Group Photo

The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) successfully hosted the CAMPUS Asia Alumni Workshop 2025 in Beijing, China, in collaboration with the Chinese Secretariat of CAMPUS Asia and with support from Peking University. The workshop brought together 30 alumni and current students from CAMPUS Asia consortia across China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and ASEAN countries, offering a dynamic platform for exchange, learning, and collaboration. The event opened with remarks by TCS Secretary-General Lee Hee-sup, who introduced this year’s theme: “Empowering a Sustainable Alumni Network for CAMPUS Asia.” He underscored the importance of building enduring friendships and advancing regional cooperation, highlighting the expanded participation of ASEAN students as a step toward deeper regional engagement. He also reaffirmed the shared goal of the three governments to increase CAMPUS Asia participants to 30,000 by 2030. A special lecture followed, delivered by Professor Hara Masahiko of the Institute of Science Tokyo and Professor Sheen Seong-ho of Seoul National University. The speakers reflected on the program’s evolution and its growing relevance amid changing geopolitical dynamics. After the lecture, panel discussion followed, moderated by Professor Dong Zhaohua of Peking University, featuring alumni representatives from China, Japan, Korea, and ASEAN. The panel addressed “The Impact of Digital Technology on Youth’s Cross-Cultural Communication,” offering insights into how technology both facilitates and complicates intercultural engagement. In the afternoon workshop session, participants proposed innovative ideas to enhance the sustainability of the CAMPUS Asia program and its alumni network. Suggestions included establishing a mentorship program, publishing an annual alumni brochure, and developing Metaverse CAMPUS Asia—a virtual campus platform to foster interactive and accessible alumni engagement. The session showcased the creativity and commitment of alumni to building a vibrant and future-oriented community. Beyond the main sessions, participants took part in a welcome reception featuring career talks, as well as site and cultural visits around Beijing, further enriching their experience and strengthening interpersonal ties. CAMPUS Asia (Collective Action for Mobility Program of University Students in Asia) is a cross-border higher education exchange initiative among China, Japan, and the ROK. It promotes joint and double degree programs, as well as short-term exchanges at both undergraduate and graduate levels, with the aim of building academic networks and fostering mutual understanding among students in the region. Recognized as a core initiative in trilateral education cooperation, CAMPUS Asia was endorsed in the joint statements of the 1st and 2nd Trilateral Education Ministers’ Meetings. Now in its fifth edition, the CAMPUS Asia Alumni Workshop is a TCS-led initiative designed to provide alumni and students with continued opportunities for dialogue, learning, and collaboration.▲SG LEE delivering opening remarks▲Group Photo of Participants▲Panel Discussion▲Workshop Session

On June 5th, the 3rd Trilateral Young Rural Leaders Exchange Program (TREP) concluded in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The program was hosted by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Chiba Prefectural Government. During the closing ceremony, Deputy Secretary-General ZUSHI Shuji expressed his appreciation to the participants for their active participation in successfully completing the four-day program. He also expressed his hope that, upon returning to their local communities, the participants would apply what they had learned to take a leading role in shaping the future of agriculture. Furthermore, he reaffirmed TCS’s commitment to advancing youth engagement and supporting continued trilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture. Participants from China, Japan, and Korea shared the lessons learned and how they planned to apply them in their home communities. DSG Zushi also presented a certificate of completion to each participant, recognizing their efforts and achievements throughout the program. Throughout the four-day program under the theme “Green Agriculture: Sustainable Farming Practices and Environmental Stewardship," young rural leaders and government officials from China, Japan, and Korea participated and engaged in a variety of activities, including visits to green agriculture facilities, interactive lectures, discussions, and site visits to key rural areas in Chiba Prefecture. The TREP, established in 2023 in response to these challenges, the Memorandum of Collaboration on Agricultural Cooperation, signed at the 3rd Trilateral Agricultural Ministers’ Meeting (TAMM), highlighted the importance of capacity building for agricultural technicians and fostering exchanges among young rural leaders. The 4th TREP is scheduled to take place in China.▲Site Visit to Narita Market▲Site Visit to JAL Agriport▲Group Photo at Kouzaki Town▲Group Photo after the closing ceremony

On 5 June 2025, Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) Secretary-General LEE Hee-sup attended the 2025 RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum. The event brought together representatives from governments and business sectors across the RCEP members to promote regional collaboration and common development.SG LEE delivered remarks at the opening ceremony. He emphasized the essential role of local governments in maximizing the benefits of RCEP and called for deeper liberalization, upgraded commitments, and expanded membership. SG LEE also stressed the importance of joint efforts to tackle global trade challenges and enhance local development, while expressing gratitude to the city of Huangshan and the organizers for their warm hospitality.On the eve of the forum, SG LEE met with Mr. WANG Qingxian, Governor of Anhui Province, and delivered speech as the head of the foreign delegation. He conveyed his gratitude for the warm reception and reaffirmed TCS’s commitment to strengthening exchanges among local governments, fostering practical cooperation, and contributing to regional peace and prosperity.The 2025 RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum is jointly held by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the People’s Government of Anhui Province, the forum took place from June 4 to 6 in Huangshan. It aimed to promote the high-quality implementation of RCEP, facilitate exchanges between local governments of RCEP members, explore business opportunities, and advance friendly relations.▲SG LEE delivering remarks▲SG LEE met with Mr. WANG Qingxian, Governor of Anhui Province