China's Renmin University kicked off the two-day "East Asia Cooperation Forum 2006" in Beijing on Saturday. The theme of the forum is "Constructing a harmonious East Asia: responsibility and action for China, Japan and the Republic of Korea".

More than 100 governmental officials and experts from China, Japan and the ROK attended the Forum.

Yuan Wei, vice-president of Renmin University, Wu Jianmin, president of China Foreign Affairs University, together with ROK and Japanese officials made speeches at the opening ceremony, insisting on the need for "communication and interaction among China, Japan and the ROK" in order to create a harmonious society.

Speakers said that "intellectual support from academics is also necessary. The political and public bases for East Asian cooperation must be expanded."

Hosted by the School of International Studies, the forum will focus on security mechanisms for the East Asia Cooperation Scheme and the development of an East Asian Community.

Henceforth an annual event, the Forum is touted as a high-level communication platform for experts and scholars to discuss peace, development and cooperation in East Asia.

Source: Xinhua