A hopeful step calls for substantial follow-ups
Updated: 2015-11-02 07:47
(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (right), Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) and South Korean President Park Geun-hye (center) shake hands during the sixth China-Japan-ROK trilateral meeting in Seoul, Nov 1, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua] |
As anticipated, the first summit meeting between the leaders of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea after a three-year hiatus produced no surprises.
The joint communiqué, comprehensive as it is, presents little more than a shared willingness to work together and find a way out of the diplomatic ice age debilitating Northeast Asia.
Indeed, this short summit was more about atmosphere than about technicalities.
But, for the three countries, what can possibly be more imperative than a joint statement that they have had enough of estrangement.
The three-party summit evolved from a sideline meeting under the 10 + 3 (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus China, Japan, the ROK) mechanism because of a common political ideal inspired in part by the growing sense of community ASEAN has demonstrated. But the belated Northeast Asian response to the global trend of regional integration revealed its vulnerability more than three years ago when territorial disputes bogged down ROK-Japan and China-Japan ties.
With the political momentum gone, all three suffered. And with the idea of a China-Japan-ROK free trade pact falling effectively into the realm of the unlikely, they have missed a precious window of opportunity for substantially boosting their economies through three-party cooperation.
The past more than three years can surely be cited as evidence that China and the ROK can do quite well without accommodating an uncooperative Japan. But a divided Northeast Asia is all-lose.
It may be too early to talk about a united, harmonious Northeast Asia. The just released communiqué displays little assurance that history, and territory issues will stop haunting the neighborhood, and they could easily freeze the thawing ties unless all stakeholders are equally rational in managing those sensitive triggers.
However, the summit is a consoling message. And it may serve as the badly needed catalyst for confidence building.
Judging from the recent vicissitudes in the region's complicated state-to-state relations, this fine starting point in no way equals half a success; it will not until all parties match rhetoric with deeds.
But it is a hopeful step forward that inspires hopes for sensible follow-up moves.
From a free trade area to environmental concerns, talent exchanges, and Peninsula denuclearization, they have a lot to do together.
Yet everything on the communiqué's to-do list entails a favorable political atmosphere, which has been illusive in this triangle.
- Locals have tradition of drying foods during harvest season
- Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei govts to cooperate on emissions control
- Web promotion of prostitution to be targeted
- Two more spells of smog predicted to sweep North China
- Glass bridge in grand canyon of Zhangjiajie under construction
- Road rage cases pose huge safety challenge
- Can Chinese ‘white lightning’ make it in US?
- Gunmen go on a killing spree in Southern California
- Chinese, South African presidents hold talks to cement partnership
- China, Zimbabwe agree to boost cooperation
- First lady visits Africa's 'new window' on China
- BRICS media leaders to secure louder global voice
- Western science in the eyes of Chinese emperors
- Top 10 smartphone vendors with highest shipments in Q3 2015
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
8 highlights about V-day Parade |
Glimpses of Tibet: Plateaus, people and faith |
Chinese entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downfall |
50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region |
Tianjin explosions: Deaths, destruction and bravery |
Cinemas enjoy strong first half |
Today's Top News
Shooting rampage at US social services agency leaves 14 dead
Chinese bargain hunters are changing the retail game
Chinese president arrives in Turkey for G20 summit
Islamic State claims responsibility for Paris attacks
Obama, Netanyahu at White House seek to mend US-Israel ties
China, not Canada, is top US trade partner
Tu first Chinese to win Nobel Prize in Medicine
Huntsman says Sino-US relationship needs common goals
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |