Premier urges greater coordination between China-Japan-ROK, ASEAN

Premier Li Keqiang urged on Sunday greater unity and coordination between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea to jointly guard against risks and expand room for further cooperation.

In a speech delivered at the 22nd ASEAN-China, Japan and ROK leaders' meeting in Bangkok, Li said countries involved in the multilateral mechanism should explore the potential of cooperation and work for more substantial outcomes.

The meeting adopted the "Connecting the Connectivities Initiative" approach, which is aimed at promoting regional connectivity among the ASEAN Plus Three countries by enhancing links and synergies between the key connectivity initiatives promoted by the four sides.

The premier said at the meeting that China is willing to promote a higher level of economic integration between the four sides amid efforts to accelerate talks on a trilateral free trade agreement between China, Japan and the ROK and work toward the goal of an East Asian economic community. The international landscape is undergoing profound and complex changes with global economic growth slowing and protectionism rising. This has posed new risks and challenges to the development of East Asian countries, he said.

Li urged greater alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and other connectivity initiatives and further cooperation in the joint development of economic corridors, trade and industrial parks while harmonizing market rules and standards.

Regional financial cooperation must be moved further forward, and all parties involved should refine the regional economic governance structure through enhanced financial cooperation, he said.

China will step up sharing its experience with all parties on poverty reduction in East Asia to narrow development gaps between different regions, he said.

Li also voiced support for the establishment of a ministerial-level disaster management mechanism within the ASEAN Plus Three countries framework, saying that China is willing to host its first meeting next year.

Li also had talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Bangkok on Monday.

China and Japan should give play to their respective strengths, deepen pragmatic cooperation and share development opportunities, he said.

He expressed hope that the eighth China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting, to be hosted by China this year, will offer opportunities for further trilateral cooperation and jointly safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Li also stressed the importance of properly handling sensitive issues, improving the level of mutual trust and enabling the development of healthier, more stable and sustained bilateral relations.

Abe said Tokyo is willing to step up dialogue and cooperation with Beijing in deepening pragmatic cooperation and conduct closer exchanges over international and regional affairs.