China active in trade cooperation with Japan, ROK

BEIJING - China holds an active attitude toward economic and trade cooperation with Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), Vice-Foreign Minister Fu Ying said on Saturday.

Fu made the remarks at a press conference in which she and Liang Wentao, vice-director of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce, briefed reporters on Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming attendance at a series of meetings for East Asian leaders, as well as his visits to Cambodia and Thailand.

Fu said cooperation among China, Japan and the ROK is an important component of East Asian cooperation. The three countries have strengthened their communication and coordination since establishing a partnership in 2008, which has contributed to their deepening cooperation and the promotion of their social and economic development.

The three countries' cooperation is not only conducive to themselves, but also to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia, she said.

According to Fu, state leaders of China, Japan and the ROK announced in May the initiation of negotiations on a free-trade area, and preparation work for this has been completed.

"China will work with the other two countries to deepen our economic integration and promote the East Asian economic integration process," she said.

The series of meetings for East Asian leaders will be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from Nov 18-21. The meetings include the 15th summit between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as the 15th summit between the ASEAN, China, Japan and the ROK and the 7th East Asia Summit.