Sixth China, Japan and South Korea Summit held

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told the trilateral leaders' meeting of China, Japan and South Korea Monday in Vientiane that cooperation among the three should be pushed to a new high.

Addressing the sixth trilateral leaders' meeting of China, Japan and South Korea, Wen said trilateral cooperation has expanded, common development been promoted and basis for shared interests expanded since the first such meeting in 1999.

The process has made "positive contribution" to the stability and development in Northeast Asia, Wen told the meeting, also attended by Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro and South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun.

Wen stressed that the three countries should make more efforts to solidify foundation and expand scope of, and give more substance to the trilateral cooperation.

For such purpose, Wen said, the three sides need to agree on three basic viewpoints:

-- a concept of responsibility for the region. The trilateral cooperation should not only promote the stability and development in Northeast Asia, but also work for the development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to achieve a long-term goal of cooperation in East Asia.

-- a way for win-win cooperation. The cooperation should be based on seeking common interests and points, reserving differences to enhance understanding, cooperation and common development at maximum.

-- a proper sequence based on respective advantage. Priorities for cooperation should be given to the important sectors in sequence, first to the convenient ones and gradually to other fields.

Wen also suggested that the three countries increase trade and economic cooperation to move toward economic integration.

The Chinese premier also urged the three countries to promote social and cultural exchange and strengthen regional policy dialogue.

"Regional cooperation has been a global trend, and cooperation in Asia, especially in East Asia, is in an important phase of development," Wen said, calling for more communication and coordination.

Koizumi, who chaired the meeting, said the trilateral meeting has witnessed good results in promoting the cooperation in economy and other areas, although the mechanism of the meeting is still young.

The Japanese side expects the three countries to increase the input in the fields of investment, the construction of a free trade area, finance, culture and personnel exchanges, so as to achieve a win-win deal, he said.

Roh gave a positive appraisal of the cooperation of the three countries in all fields.

He said the three nations have increased the interdependence on economy, and South Korea hopes to further cooperation with China and Japan on security of energy resources, economy and science.

The three leaders also exchanged views on the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula.

Wen said continuing the six-party talks is in conformity with the interest of all parties, and is the common aspiration of the international community.

China will continue to promote peaceful talks, and will work with the international community to resume a new round of the six-party talks at an early date, Wen said.

Both Koizumi and Roh expressed appreciation for the efforts of China to push forward the peaceful settlement of the Korean nuclear issue, hoping the six-party talks would keep going.