On August 22, 2025, the 12th China-Japan-South Korea Cooperation Dialogue was held in Tokyo, Japan, jointly organized by the Japan Economic Foundation (JEF), the China Institute for Reform and Development, Hainan (CIRD), and the East Asia Foundation of Korea (EAF). This China-Japan-South Korea cooperation dialogue was themed "Deepening China-Japan-South Korea Cooperation Under Common Economic Challenges," where scholars from the three countries engaged in exchanges and discussions on shared concerns including strengthening rule-based East Asian free trade, China-Japan-South Korea cooperation in climate change and energy technology fields, and cooperation opportunities in tourism revitalization among the three countries.

Professor Chi Fulin, President of the China Institute for Reform and Development, Hainan, delivered opening remarks at the conference, pointing out that China, Japan, and South Korea are facing common challenges from geopolitical and economic changes under global transformations.

Professor Chi Fulin presented three key assessments:

First, the China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Agreement is the best option for adapting to regional economic integration trends. Regional economic integration centered on free trade is a major trend. To adapt to this trend, it is necessary to accelerate high-level free trade cooperation among China, Japan, and South Korea. The trend of regional economic integration will reshape Asia. As Asia's largest economies, China, Japan, and South Korea achieving significant breakthroughs in free trade will propel the global economy into an "Asian era."

Second, the China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Agreement is the best option for promoting RCEP regional cooperation. Facing the impact of U.S. "reciprocal tariffs," RCEP, as the center of global economic growth, needs open cooperation more than ever before. The conclusion of a free trade agreement among China, Japan, and South Korea will play a leading role in promoting RCEP's upgrade from version 1.0 to 2.0.

Third, the China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Agreement is the best option for meeting realistic demands. On one hand, RCEP lays an important foundation for China, Japan, and South Korea to reach a free trade agreement; on the other hand, the three countries' economic growth and economic transformation have realistic demands for concluding a free trade agreement. The key is to build upon RCEP, make good use of RCEP, and reach a China-Japan-South Korea free trade agreement as soon as possible within the RCEP framework.

Chi Fulin made the following recommendations. First, reach a China-Japan-South Korea free trade arrangement that exceeds RCEP standards as soon as possible. For example, quickly reach consensus on rule alignment and standard mutual recognition in the service trade sector; accelerate the implementation of high-standard economic and trade rules in emerging fields such as digital economy, and establish trilateral cooperation pilot projects.

Second, accelerate mutual market opening and create more cooperation opportunities through greater market opening. For example, formulate and implement high-standard negative lists for cross-border service trade among the three countries as soon as possible.

Finally, strengthen working mechanism arrangements among the three countries. For example, fully leverage the role of think tanks from the three countries and strengthen cooperative research and exchange discussions on major issues.

It is reported that this dialogue lasted one day, with over 40 participants including scholars and young representatives from China, Japan, and South Korea attending the meeting.