China, ROK, Japan chart path for future cooperation

BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- China, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan drew up plans for future cooperation that include building up mutual trust and pursuing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula on Saturday.

The three nations pledged in the Joint Statement on the Tenth Anniversary of Trilateral Cooperation to build up mutual trust in the political field and step up high-level contacts and strategic dialogues.

The joint statement emphasized the importance to properly address sensitive issues and seek settlement of disputes through dialogue and consultation.

The three nations will continue to promote peace, stability and prosperity of Asia. Tripartite leaders will remain committed to dialogue and consultation and continue to work through peaceful means to pursue the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the statement said.

China, ROK and Japan will make joint efforts for an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks, so as to safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia, and thereby to build an Asia of peace, harmony, openness and prosperity.

Leaders from three countries vowed to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation by stepping up their cooperation in business, trade, finance, investment, logistics, intellectual property.

The joint statement includes expanding people-to-people exchanges, particularly friendly youth exchanges and exchanges among universities. The three nations will further promote closer trilateral cooperation in areas such as disaster management, healthcare, tourism, human resources, education and sports.

The joint statement calls on leaders from three countries to actively respond to global issues such as climate change, financial risks, energy security, terrorism.

The joint statement was issued after the second trilateral leaders' meeting of China, ROK and Japan held on Saturday morning. It was chaired by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and attended by ROK President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.