Why it mattered

In a region often shaped by history and headlines, meaningful conversations rarely happen by chance.

For seven years, I helped create opportunities for journalists from China, Japan, and Korea to travel, learn, and experience each other's societies firsthand. By bringing media professionals together beyond the newsroom, the program encouraged trust, dialogue, and more nuanced reporting across borders.

Why it mattered

International cooperation doesn't begin in meeting rooms - it begins with people.

The Youth Ambassador Program brought together university students from China, Japan, and Korea to exchange ideas, build friendships, and explore different cultures. Through shared experiences, participants developed the curiosity and trust needed for future regional cooperation.

Why it mattered

Most people never attend international conferences - but everyone can enjoy a festival.

TCS Day transformed regional cooperation into a vibrant public celebration through performances, cultural experiences, games, and interactive activities. It invited thousands of visitors to discover the value of China-Japan-Korea cooperation in an engaging and accessible way.

Why it mattered

At the beginning of each year, one shared character became a symbol of the values connecting China, Japan, and Korea.

Through multilingual public campaigns, media outreach, and online participation, the project encouraged people to reflect on ideas that transcend borders and celebrate a shared cultural heritage.

Why it mattered

Language is one of the simplest ways to build connection.

This project introduced 808 common vocabulary shared across Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, helping learners and the public discover linguistic similarities that often go unnoticed. It transformed language into a bridge for cultural understanding.

Why it mattered

Regional cooperation grows when diverse voices come together.

The International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation convened policymakers, scholars, business leaders, and young professionals to discuss the future of Northeast Asia. The forum created a platform where dialogue could lead to collaboration and new perspectives.

Why it mattered

Mutual understanding begins early - often through the simple act of sharing a story.

The CJK Children's Story Exchange Program brought together children from China, Japan, and Korea to create storybooks, explore cultures, and build friendships through imagination. As co-organizer of the Alumni Program, TCS helped former participants reconnect, exchange ideas, and continue their journey as young bridges between the three countries.

Through workshops, cultural visits, group activities, and performances, the program turned childhood memories into lasting connections across generations.

Why it mattered

Some of the most practical solutions to shared challenges begin at the local level.

The Trilateral Local Governments Exchange Conference brought together local governments from China, Japan, and Korea to exchange experiences on urban development, population challenges, citizen exchange, eco-friendly cities, and local economic revitalization.

By supporting dialogue among municipalities and contributing research on CJK local city exchange, the project helped turn regional cooperation into practical partnerships that could improve people's daily lives.

Why it mattered

China, Japan, and Korea share many of the same risks: earthquakes, floods, extreme weather, and the growing impact of climate-related disasters.

The Inter-Regional Dialogue created a platform for government officials, experts, international organizations, and private-sector partners to exchange knowledge on disaster risk reduction. With a focus on AI, early warning, digital technologies, and emergency preparedness, the dialogue connected Northeast Asia with ASEAN, Mongolia, and global partners.

It strengthened the idea that regional resilience is built through shared knowledge, practical tools, and cooperation before disasters happen.