Trilateral cooperation

Officials from both countries have underlined the role China-Japan-ROK cooperation plays in the Asia-Pacific region and the urgent need to strengthen trilateral cooperation given the impact of negative factors such as the tariff war on global trade.

The combined population of the three countries accounts for one-fifth of the world's total, while their combined economic output constitutes one-quarter of the global total.

Last year marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of China-Japan-ROK trilateral cooperation, and next year will be the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat.

"As important economies in Asia — China, Japan and the ROK are geographically close, culturally connected and economically complementary, long playing a unique and crucial role in regional cooperation," Cao said.

Yan Liang, deputy secretary-general of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat, said trilateral cooperation "is not exclusive, as we subscribe to openness and we work with fourth parties including Southeast Asian countries and international organizations such as the United Nations".

"We have arrived at a lot of successful practices that should and could be spread to reach more neighboring countries and the rest of the world, bringing benefits to more ordinary people," he added.