Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for the resumption and acceleration of cooperation between China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK), emphasizing the significance of their collaborative efforts in contributing to regional prosperity and stability. Speaking at the ninth Trilateral Summit Meeting in Seoul on Monday, Premier Li highlighted the necessity for the three nations to uphold openness, inclusiveness, mutual respect, trust, and mutual benefit.
Marking the 25th anniversary of the China-Japan-ROK trilateral cooperation mechanism, Premier Li stressed that at this new starting point, it is crucial for the three countries to stay committed to their original aspiration for cooperation. He urged for an upgrade and speeding up of collaborative efforts to embark on a new journey of comprehensive development.
Five-Point Proposal for Deepening Cooperation
Premier Li presented a comprehensive five-point proposal aimed at deepening trilateral cooperation:
- Promote Comprehensive Restart of Cooperation: Respect each other's core interests and major concerns, fully tap the potential for collaboration, and foster positive interplay between bilateral relations and trilateral cooperation.
- Deepen Economic and Trade Connectivity: Maintain the stability and smoothness of industrial and supply chains, and expedite the negotiations of the China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Agreement.
- Lead Scientific and Technological Innovation: Strengthen collaborative innovation in frontier fields. China plans to establish a China-Japan-ROK Innovation Cooperation Center to accelerate the cultivation of new growth drivers.
- Boost Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: Utilize the upcoming China-Japan-ROK 2025-2026 Year of Cultural Exchange to strengthen ties and bring the hearts of the three neighbors closer.
- Promote Sustainable Development: Enhance cooperation in low-carbon transformation, climate change, aging populations, epidemic response, and explore more "China-Japan-ROK + X" cooperation projects.
Addressing Regional Stability
Premier Li pointed out the ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, advocating for a constructive role from all parties to ease tensions, restart dialogue promptly, and advance the political settlement process to safeguard regional peace and stability.
He emphasized that China, Japan, and the ROK should leverage their development strengths to create a new engine for regional cooperation, actively addressing the needs of ASEAN and neighboring countries, and boosting the momentum of ASEAN Plus Three cooperation.
Commitment from Japan and the ROK
ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida acknowledged the great significance of resuming cooperation after a four-year hiatus. They called for maintaining the stability and continuity of trilateral cooperation and deepening efforts in key fields such as sustainable development, economy and trade, public health, science and technology, and disaster relief.
Both leaders urged for the swift resumption of negotiations on the China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Agreement, promotion of regional cooperation in East Asia, and addressing global issues like climate change to foster stable development of trilateral relations.
Premier Li affirmed China's willingness to work with the ROK and Japan to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, jointly safeguarding long-term stability and security in the region and the wider world.
Reference(s):
Premier Li calls for resuming, speeding up China-Japan-ROK cooperation
cgtn.com
