Participants of the China-Japan-ROK Young Ambassador Program pose with their Japanese teacher (middle in the front) and the Kanji meaning "love" they have written after attending a calligraphy lesson in Kyoto, Japan. CHINA DAILY
Shen Zhenqun, a PhD student in International Politics at Fudan University in Shanghai, recalls a revealing moment at the Japan Kanji Museum in Kyoto. As he spoke with the museum director, he mentioned his grandparents' hometown Anyang in Henan province, the birthplace of oracle bone inscriptions. To his surprise, the director had visited the city.
The site is home to China's only museum dedicated to Chinese characters, the Chinese Language Museum.
The director praised the city's dedication to preserving Chinese character culture and commended the museum for vividly showcasing the history of Hanzi, the Chinese characters, both popularly and academically, Shen said.
"This exchange reinforced my realization that Hanzi, or Kanji in Japanese and Hanja in Korean, is more than just a linguistic tool," Shen said, adding that it is a shared cultural treasure and a spiritual bond among the three East Asian nations.
"Its role in fostering a sense of regional identity is undeniable, further strengthening my aspiration to contribute to the global promotion of East Asia's shared heritage," he said.
For Shen, the calligraphy lesson allowed him to experience firsthand the nuances between Japanese and Chinese calligraphy.
This shared heritage is often overlooked in the heat of political disagreements, but Shen believes it forms the bedrock of long-term regional cooperation.
"It underscored an important lesson: in promoting East Asia's cultural traditions such as calligraphy, we must embrace the principle of 'seeking common ground while respecting differences'," he said.
Shen is among 30 young representatives from China, Japan, and South Korea who gathered earlier this year in Kyoto for the China-Japan-ROK Young Ambassador Program, an initiative organized by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat.
For nine days, they immersed themselves in cultural activities, academic discussions, and team projects, which aimed at deepening people-to-people ties among the three neighbors.
Kim Hyein, a Korean design student from Ewha Womans University, shared a touching story from a temple visit in Kyoto.
When one of the participants drew a bad fortune and became upset as they drew fortune paper, Kim introduced the Korean concept of "Aekddaem", the belief that a small misfortune can prevent a larger one.
Kim explained this concept to her Asian friend and tried to comfort her by saying that the torn fortune paper had already taken care of the misfortune that would have come their way.
"I was really surprised because my friend was truly grateful and appreciative of it. This was the first time I experienced that our culture could have a positive influence on others," she said.
Participants practice writing Kanji during a calligraphy lesson in Kyoto. CHINA DAILY
Breaking stereotypes
During the YAP Program, the participants encountered many cultural differences, but through a series of experiences, they have realized that understanding, empathy, and a genuine heart are the keys to achieving harmony.
They also found out that direct interaction is the best way to overcome stereotypes and build mutual understanding.
Through the program, Kim found that the stereotypes she had grown up hearing, such as Chinese being "too loud" or Japanese being "too introverted", were upended by real interactions.
"Looking back, the loudest and noisiest person in the YAP program was actually me," she laughed. "And our supposedly introverted Japanese friend led us to the most exciting night out at an izakaya at the end of the day."
Kim said that stereotypes might have some basis in cultural traits, but this experience reminded her that they never tell the whole story.
"Judging people based on preconceptions and assuming just builds unnecessary walls between us," she said.
Shen from China noted he had assumed that Japanese and Korean societies were more rigid and rule-bound than China, with stricter and more subtle social norms.
He had long believed that the strong sense of rules and boundaries in Japanese and Korean societies made it difficult to form truly heartfelt friendships.
However, Shen said, during this exchange, he realized that all participants actively set aside their preconceived notions, whether positive or negative, about other nations, approaching each interaction with warmth, focus, and mutual respect.
Rather than hindering communication, the so-called awareness of rules and personal boundaries was seamlessly integrated into an atmosphere of openness and inclusiveness, he said.
For example, China, Japan and South Korea have their own unique but common cultural "unspoken rules", the importance of which can only be mutually understood by the people of the three East Asian countries, Shen noted.
He added that it is mutual understanding that defines the essence of the exchange.
Such opinions are also shared by Kim Song-jung, a PhD student at Yonsei University. She initially believed that Japanese youth might be too reserved for open debate, but she found them to be highly engaged and thoughtful in group discussions. "Similarly, I had a notion that Chinese participants would be overly competitive; instead, I witnessed a strong spirit of teamwork and a genuine willingness to collaborate," she added.
Kim Hyein said that through this experience, she learned that "while it is important to establish our own identity and preserve unique culture by being with people from our own country, it is equally necessary to make an effort to communicate and understand people from different cultures and backgrounds".
"If we isolate ourselves within our own culture, we may face difficulties in connecting with others from diverse backgrounds," she added.
Kim Song-jung, from the Republic of Korea, gives a presentation during a panel discussion. CHINA DAILY
Discovering similarities
Shen from China said what struck him most in his interactions with Japanese and Korean youth was not the cultural differences but rather the underlying commonalities that connect the three East Asian nations.
"We share similar educational experiences, navigate comparable daily routines, and as young people, we grapple with analogous uncertainties about the future. These shared experiences fostered an immediate sense of connection," he said.
Itsuki Shimoosako, a postgraduate student at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Public Policy and a double-degree student at Peking University, said that his deepest impression about the three countries is the shared cultural elements, including their communication styles, traditions, and cuisine.
The lectures in the program also highlighted shared societal challenges, such as aging populations, public health, climate change, which deepened his understanding of the common ground.
Born and raised in Germany, Shimoosako grew up surrounded by Chinese and Korean friends, which gave him familiarity with their cultures.
However, he also witnessed tensions rooted in historical and political differences, even among East Asian communities in Germany. This inspired him to join the program, aiming to cultivate a "stronger shared identity as East Asians".
Shimoosako emphasized the value of collaborative creation. He worked with Chinese and Korean peers to develop the CJK Cultural Pass Initiative, a proposal offering discounts at cultural sites across the three countries.
Their team won the Best Team Award, which he viewed as a testament to what can be achieved when young minds focus on common goals rather than differences.
"In our late-night discussions," Shimoosako recalled, "we learned to navigate our different communication styles — Chinese peers prioritizing harmony, Koreans ensuring everyone had a voice, and Japanese teammates focusing on methodical detail. What struck me was how these differences, instead of dividing us, actually enriched our proposal."
The friendship forged through the program has broadened Shimoosako's perspective on current issues in East Asia and reinforced his belief that commonalities outweigh differences.
"It's also heartwarming to know that I now have a network of like-minded peers in China and South Korea who share a vision for stronger regional cooperation," he added.
Similarly, Kim from Yonsei University, discovered the transformative power of informal dialogue. "One of my most memorable experiences was a casual chat over tea in a small Kyoto tea house," she said.
"We shared stories about our journeys, talked about the challenges we face as young people and the issues in our countries, and exchanged our hopes for a future with more cooperation and sustainability."
The relaxed setting helped Kim and other participants connect personally, form friendships, and inspire them to work together on new solutions for their communities, she said.
Kim said she recognized the importance of sustained trilateral cooperation between China, Japan, and South Korea, which have deep historical, economic, and geopolitical ties. "Despite occasional tensions, our shared challenges such as climate change, regional security, and economic integration, necessitate ongoing dialogue and mutual understanding," she said.
Youth role
Since its launch in 2013, the China-Japan-ROK Young Ambassador Program has been held 11 times and has grown into one of the brands under the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat.
As major countries in the Asia-Pacific and important economies globally, China, Japan, and South Korea together account for about 24 percent of the world's GDP and around 20 percent of global trade.
The years 2025-2026 have also been designated as the "China-Japan-ROK Years of Cultural Exchange".
At the ninth China-Japan-ROK Leaders' Meeting last year, the three leaders reaffirmed the importance of strengthening exchanges. By fostering friendly interaction among the younger generation, the foundation for trilateral cooperation can be further consolidated.
As negative perceptions of one another are gradually deepening among the three countries, the young ambassador program expects that young people will play an active role in overcoming prejudice and confrontation.
For the participants, the program acts as a platform to break down barriers, foster trust and mutual understanding, as well as build personal connections that go beyond national boundaries.
Youth cultural exchanges are vital in building bridges between nations. They create platforms for mutual understanding, dismantling stereotypes, and developing collaborative solutions to regional challenges, Kim from Yonsei University said.
Kim, who also serves as a senior assistant at the United Nations Development Programme, said, "In my future endeavors both at the United Nations and within academic and policy circles, I plan to promote initiatives that encourage dialogue and cooperation among young leaders from China, Japan, and South Korea."
Whether through mentoring future delegates or organizing cross-cultural workshops and forums, Kim said she is committed to contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable regional future.
Shimoosako believed that ideally there should be more CJK youth exchanges involving a broader range of participants, not just students with relevant academic background or international experiences.
To foster real change, it is crucial to engage more diverse youth in these programs, helping to break down long-standing misconceptions and promote genuine understanding, he said.
Young people are the backbone of a nation's future and their perceptions will shape the dominant narratives of their societies, Shen from China said.
After the program, he remains in active contact with Japanese and Korean friends through social media.
These friendships have influenced his academic trajectory as he plans to pursue research visits in Japan and South Korea to deepen his understanding of regional dynamics.
He noted that historical disputes persist because of the lack of direct, interpersonal engagement. "When people fail to meet face-to-face, stereotypes and misconceptions thrive," he said.
"Only through direct dialogue can we truly foster heart-to-heart understanding, and youth cultural exchanges have always been at the core of meaningful people-to-people connections."
Kim Hyein said, "Regardless of nationality, language, or culture, the blood that flows under our skin is all red."
Unresolved historical and political differences between South Korea, China, and Japan should not be used as excuses for hatred or animosity, and in order to eliminate them, opportunities for young people from the three countries to gradually and sincerely get to know each other must be expanded, she said.
"I believe the beginning and core of this opportunity lies with the youth who will lead the three countries in the future. Therefore, I strongly support cultural and youth exchanges and I think I found my vision," she said.
