China, Japan and South Korea agreed in Seoul on Friday to establish a trilateral cooperation system to promote the development of science and technology in the region.

At a meeting between Chinese Science and Technology Minister Xu Guanhua, South Korean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Technology Kim Woo-sik and their Japanese counterpart Ibuki Bunmei, the three sides discussed trilateral cooperation in science and technology and agreed to push forward trilateral cooperation with mutual respect and cooperation, said an official of the Chinese delegation.

During the meeting, the three ministers agreed to give priority to the research on environment, energy, epidemic disease, disaster prevention, oriental medicine and new energy development, said the official.

According to a joint statement signed by the three ministers at the meeting, China, Japan and South Korea will establish a trilateral science and technology cooperation mechanism, including Ministerial Meetings, Director General Meetings and coordinating meetings between experts, to help the three parties find solutions to common regional issues while making a contribution to the development in Asia and the world.

The ministers commended the contribution by tech-oriented small and medium sized companies and high-tech venture firms to the economy, and vowed to work together to support such enterprises.

According to the joint statement, a working-level meeting on environmental and energy issues will be held in Tokyo in March, while the second trilateral ministerial meeting on science and technology will be held in Japan in 2008.

Source: Xinhua