Saturday, December 13, 2008

Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting

Prime Minister Taro Aso visited Fukuoka Prefecture to hold the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting.

Prime Minister Aso first held talks with Mr. Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) at a hotel in Fukuoka City. At the meeting, the leaders agreed to work together toward a future-oriented mature partnership. They also confirmed their intention to continue to work closely in the areas of finance and the economy against the backdrop of the severe situation of the international economy, and welcomed the temporary increase of the maximum swap amounts under the bilateral currency swap arrangement. On the North Korean issue, Prime Minister Aso and President Lee, while expressing regret for North Korea's disagreement on the verification process for its nuclear programs at the previous meeting of the Six-Party Talks, shared the view that the issue of verification is extremely important in advancing the denuclearization of North Korea, and that close coordination at the Six-Party Talks will be maintained bilaterally between Japan and the ROK and also trilaterally among Japan, the ROK, and the United States.

After the meeting with President Lee, Prime Minister Aso held talks with Mr. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, at the Kyushu National Museum in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. At the meeting, the leaders confirmed the steady advancement of a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests," as witnessed by the promotion of youth exchanges and activities of the New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century, among others. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Aso stated that the recent intrusion of Chinese research vessels into Japanese waters near the Senkaku Islands was a very regrettable event, to which Premier Wen said that he intends to resolve the issue in an appropriate manner through talks. The leaders also discussed the international economy and financial situation. Prime Minister Aso said that it is important for the three nations of Japan, China and the ROK to overcome the current global recession as soon as possible, and that Japan-China cooperation and Japan-China-ROK cooperation are important from that perspective as well. Premier Wen also stated that it is of great significance that Japan and China are joining hands to stand up to the current financial crisis.

Afterwards, Prime Minister Aso held the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting with Premier Wen and President Lee. At the meeting, the leaders reached common recognition that the tripartite cooperation will be guided under the principle of openness, transparency, mutual trust, common interest, and respect for their diverse cultures. They also agreed to reinforce regional cooperation in order to stabilize their financial markets and international financial markets. After the meeting, the leaders of the three nations attended a signing ceremony and signed the Joint Statement for Tripartite Partnership.

Later, the three leaders received a proposal from a group of youths from Japan, China, and the ROK. At the joint press conference that followed, Prime Minister Aso, stating that he should like to call the meeting the 1st Japan-China-ROK Summit, said, "We agreed to hold this trilateral summit once a year, in rotation among the three countries. The next trilateral summit will take place in China, next year." He also said, "Let me say I am very grateful to Premier Wen and President Lee for making this very fruitful exchange of ideas possible in today's meeting. I shall cooperate closely with the leaders of China and Korea to make the next summit successful."

Related Link

• Joint Press Conference by Prime Minister Taro Aso of Japan, Premier Wen Jaibao of the People's Republic of China, and President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea
  following the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting (December 13, 2008)
• Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)