China, Japan, ROK urged to expand trade

Premier Li Qiang has urged China, Japan and the Republic of Korea to reject external disruptions and stay committed to harmonious coexistence and mutual support.

Li made the remark on Monday when addressing the 8th China-Japan-ROK Business Summit in Seoul on the sidelines of the ninth Trilateral Summit Meeting among the three Asian neighbors.

"China, Japan and the ROK are geographically close neighbors, which determines that we should strive to be peaceful and friendly neighbors," he said. "Drawing lessons from history and looking to the future, we should respect the aspirations of the people of the three countries to live and work in peace, make efforts to eliminate external disruptions to coexist harmoniously, and help each other in times of need."

He underlined the need for the three countries to consider one another as partners and important opportunities on the path of development and to achieve a higher level of mutually beneficial cooperation.

It is essential to make good use of the cultural affinity of the three neighbors to promote mutual understanding, build mutual trust and enhance cooperation, Li said.

China is willing to work hand in hand with the ROK and Japan to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, promote the integration of their interests and bring the people of the three nations closer, driving regional integration and creating new prospects for regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, he said.

He called on entrepreneurs to play a crucial role in promoting economic and trade exchanges and cooperation among China, Japan and the ROK.

It is hoped that entrepreneurs will be the defenders of stable global industrial and supply chains, he said.

ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also attended the event.

They praised the achievements in trilateral economic and trade cooperation, emphasizing its role in promoting global economic development.

They called for strengthening cooperation with Global South countries through the model of "China-Japan-ROK Plus X", jointly addressing global challenges such as climate change, and making contributions to the economic growth of the three countries as well as the world.

Approximately 240 representatives from the business and government sectors of the three countries attended the summit, which focused on economic revitalization and sustainable development.

The business summit adopted a joint statement in which the business communities of the three nations pledged to cooperate on the facilitation of the digital transition, stimulation of trade and stabilization of supply chains, as well as on the fostering of cutting-edge industries and industrial digitalization as key economic growth engines.

They also pledged to cooperate on the green transition, responses to aging populations, and healthcare. To promote sustainable development, the business communities of China, Japan and the ROK will work together on the development of carbon reduction technologies and the resolution of regional environmental issues, and jointly respond to climate change.

A working group for trilateral dialogue among the business communities of the three countries will be set up for joint research on private-sector economic cooperation and the discussion of current issues, according to the statement.