Li ChengandZhang Chi (張馳)

Opinion | How Olympic spirit can drive China-Japan-South Korea cooperation

The way young people from the three Northeast Asian nations have upheld Olympic values and transcended politics can inspire the whole region

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Medallists from South Korea, North Korea and China gather on the podium for a selfie at the end of their mixed table tennis doubles competition at the Summer Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena in Paris on July 30. Photo: AFP

Li ChengandZhang Chi (張馳)

Published: 5:30am, 13 Aug 2024Updated: 8:03am, 13 Aug 2024

At the Paris Olympics, the remarkable performance of Japanese, South Korean and Chinese athletes have propelled all three nations into the top 10 of the medal table, showcasing the sporting prowess of Northeast Asia to the world.

Beyond the arena, the actions of these young athletes in upholding Olympic values have also garnered widespread attention, bringing hopes and inspiration for alleviating tensions and advancing sustainable peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia and beyond.

As the largest international sporting event founded on multilateralism, the Olympics seems naturally to align with Northeast Asia, a major driver and beneficiary of globalisation. Japan, South Korea and China’s involvement in the Olympics reflects their integration into the world market, economic triumphs and contributions to global advancement.

So far, the region has played host to eight Olympic Games, vital stimulants for regional progress and significant contributors to the global Olympic movement. The achievements of medallists continue to fuel national pride and regional confidence, attesting to accelerating investments in sports, health, education and broader domains throughout Northeast Asia.

The symbiotic relationship between Japan, South Korea, China and the Olympics have revealed the vitality and prospects of Northeast Asia’s development. Because of the region’s long-term peace and stability, these nations have been able to achieve “faster, higher, stronger” in multiple fields, represented by sporting and economic success.

Just as the International Olympic Committee added the word “together” to its motto in July 2021 “to adapt the motto to our times” to highlight the need for solidarity in difficult times, Japan, South Korea and China must deepen trilateral cooperation and explore a path forward for sustainable peace and prosperity.