The 10th CJK Cooperation Dialogue was held in Seoul on Oct 12 to bring together officials and experts to discuss the future of China-Japan-ROK ties. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – Beijing supports trilateral cooperation among China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), a Chinese envoy said on Thursday, hoping the three countries can make contributions to regional and global development.  

“The world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, the three countries need to maintain their determination and firm concepts, continue to promote cooperation to achieve new development, join hands to safeguard regional peace, integration and cultivate public support,” said Xing Haiming, China’s ambassador to the ROK.

The CJK Cooperation Dialogue is a trilateral meeting jointly organized by the China (Hainan) Institute for Reform and Development, Japan Economic Foundation, and Seoul-based East Asia Foundation

Speaking at the 10th CJK Cooperation Dialogue in Seoul, the Chinese diplomat said the three sides have carried out a series of high-level exchanges on trilateral cooperation this year and reached a consensus, according to information released by the Chinese embassy in Seoul.

READ MORE:  Fostering harmony among China, Japan and ROK

During the China-Japan-ROK senior officials’ meeting held in Seoul on Sept 26, the three parties agreed to hold a foreign ministers’ meeting in the coming months and maintain communication on promoting a leaders’ meeting at an early and convenient time for the three countries. 

“China actively supports the cooperation between China, Japan and the ROK,” said Xing.

The envoy said he hopes the three countries can maintain close communication and sincere cooperation to generate substantial results in trilateral collaboration, playing a positive role in safeguarding the peaceful development of the region and the world. 

Noting that South Korea is the rotating chair of this year’s trilateral summit, Kim Gunn, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs at ROK’s Foreign Ministry, said the country is actively preparing for the foreign ministers’ meeting and leaders’ summit.

Kim said he hopes the three countries can pool their wisdom and work together to solve crises and challenges, and promote deeper and more practical cooperation at different levels. 

Given the multiple challenges the three countries are facing, their trilateral cooperation is not a choice but an inevitable one, said Kim. 

Mondo Yamamoto, acting deputy chief of mission at the Japanese embassy in Seoul, said the trilateral cooperation has huge potential and is of far-reaching significance to regional peace and development. 

Yamamoto said Japan is willing to further promote the trilateral cooperation. 

The CJK Cooperation Dialogue is a trilateral meeting jointly organized by the China (Hainan) Institute for Reform and Development, Japan Economic Foundation, and Seoul-based East Asia Foundation. 

READ MORE: China-Japan-ROK cooperation embraces new opportunities

Launched in 2014, the event has been dedicated to finding solutions to common problems and promoting measures for peace and prosperity in East Asia. The theme of this year’s event was “Navigating a Sustainable and Prosperous Future of CJK Cooperation”.

Contact the writer at kelly@chinadailyapac.com