Scholar calls for cooperation between China, S. Korea, Japan

SEOUL - A Chinese scholar on Monday called for more cooperation between China, South Korea and Japan at the international forum for trilateral cooperation held in Seoul.

Lu Shumin, vice-president of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, made a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the forum and expounded views on the current international and regional situation.

He made four suggestions on further strengthening trilateral cooperation.

First, the three countries should bear in mind their overall interests and firmly promote cooperation, he said.

Second, they should appropriately handle differences and boost healthy development of cooperation, he added.

Third, the three parties should make innovations to create new bright spots in their cooperation, he said.

Fourth, they should expand horizons and prop up regional cooperation altogether, he added.

During the visit, Lu also met with senior officials of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the South Korea-China 21st Century Exchange Association.

The forum is sponsored by the China, South Korea and Japan Cooperation Secretariat, aiming to offer advice and suggestions on promoting cooperation between the three countries.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, former South Korean prime minister Lee Hong-koo and former Japanese Science and Technology Minister Nakagawa Masharu also attended the opening ceremony of the forum.