Leaders of China, Japan and South Korea issued a joint press statement on Sunday in Cebu, reaffirming their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and negotiation.

They also agreed to hold the first round of trilateral senior foreign affairs officials' consultation in China this year.

The joint press statement was issued following the Seventh Trilateral Leaders' Meeting of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Cebu, the second largest city of the Philippines. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Roh Moon-hyun attended the meeting.

The leaders, in the statement, expressed their concern over the situation caused by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's recent missile launches and nuclear test. They also reaffirmed the need for a full implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1695 and 1718 by all UN member states.

The three leaders also called for "concrete and effective steps toward the full implementation of the Sept. 19 Joint Statement and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

As important measures for further building confidence among the three countries, the leaders agreed to "have more frequent exchanges" and decided to "set up a trilateral consultation mechanism at the level of senior foreign affairs officials to conduct close communication and coordination on major political and diplomatic issues involving the three countries as well as international and regional issues."

They also expressed satisfaction with the recent development of relations among the three countries and shared the view that, as important countries in Asia, "China, Japan and ROK shoulder great responsibilities in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in Asia."

According to the statement, the leaders believed that the strengthening of future-oriented trilateral cooperation both serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the people of the three countries, and is of great significance for peace, stability and prosperity in Asia.

The leaders agreed to "enhance political trust on the basis of mutual respect and understanding," for the interests of overall stability and development of the region.

They also emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of humanitarian concerns of the international community.

The leaders endorsed the 2005-2006 Progress Report of the Trilateral Cooperation among China, Japan and ROK and expressed satisfaction with the significant progress made in various areas, especially in the five priority areas of economy and trade, ICT industry, environmental protection, human resources development and culture.

The leaders decided to add six new priorities -- finance, science and technology, logistics, public health, tourism and youth exchange -- to their cooperation.

The three leaders also agreed to start negotiations on trilateral investment agreement as soon as possible in 2007.

They agreed to enhance cooperation in the environmental field and further explore concrete measures within the existing framework, especially in the Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting.

The leaders welcomed China's proposal of designating the year 2007 as the Year of Cultural Exchange among China, Japan and ROK.

China proposed to host the 9th Asian Arts Festival this year which will focus on the cultures of the three countries. Japan and ROK welcomed and supported this initiative.

The leaders also agreed to further promote energy dialogue and enhance close cooperation on measures against crimes in areas where trilateral joint efforts are necessary.

They said that the cooperation among the three nations enriches East Asia cooperation, enhances institutional building in this regard, and plays an active role in promoting the ASEAN Plus One (10+1), the ASEAN Plus Three (10+3), the East Asia Summit and the building of an East Asian community.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the enhancement of cooperation with ASEAN, the promotion of East Asia cooperation and their respect to the leading role of ASEAN in East Asia cooperation, said the joint press statement.

The three leaders shared the view of realizing "an East Asian community as a long-term goal with ASEAN Plus Three process as the main vehicle."

They reaffirmed that the East Asia Summit could play a significant role in community building in this region.

They also pledged to continue their work toward a dynamic and harmonious Asia-Pacific community in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Source: Xinhua