On 8 November 2024, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), during his visit to Seoul of the Republic of Korea (ROK), called on Secretary General Dr. Lee Hee-sup of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS). Deputy Secretary General Zushi Shuji and Deputy Secretary General Yan Liang of the TCS were present.

     
     Dr. Lee welcomed Secretary General Shi Zhongjun on his first visit to the TCS and noted that this year commemorates the 25th anniversary of the trilateral cooperation among China, Japan and the ROK. Under the guidance of the leaders of the three countries, the TCS has been actively engaged in further fostering East Asia cooperation. He expressed appreciation to the ACC for the latter’s inviting the TCS to attend the 20th Informal Meeting among the Secretaries General of the ACC, ASEAN-Japan Centre and ASEAN-Korea Centre, which initiated a new channel  for the TCS to expand its cooperation with ASEAN. The TCS looks forward to strengthening its communication with the three Centres on a regular basis, with a focus on exploring cooperation on people-to-people exchanges, especially among the young generations, so as to better serve the advancement of the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) cooperation.
 
     Shi Zhongjun briefed on the ACC’s endeavors to enhance ASEAN-China relations and cooperation across various domains. He stressed that, despite current international landscape characterized by turbulence and uncertainties, East Asia cooperation continues to showcase robust momentum in economic growth and regional people-to-people exchanges begins to register steady recovery. It is imperative for East Asian countries to work together to safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity. Under the evolving circumstances, East Asia cooperation, with the APT mechanism as the backbone channel, boasts a promising future. The ACC stands ready to bolster its communication and cooperation with the TCS, delving into concrete projects in such areas as trade, economy, culture, tourism and youth, so as to better implement the consensus among the APT leaders, and breath fresh impetus into East Asia cooperation toward sustainability and consolidation.