China in contact with Japan, ROK on timing of trilateral summit

BEIJING - China is engaged in talks about an annual summit with Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK), according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang on Wednesday.

It is reported that Japan has put itself forward as the host for the annual trilateral summit in December in Tokyo, however, the current political turmoil in the ROK has brought uncertainty to the outlook of the summit.

"The trilateral summit should be held at an appropriate time and under proper conditions for the three parties, and should achieve positive outcomes," Geng said.

China attaches great importance to trilateral cooperation with Japan and the ROK, and is ready to work closely with the two countries to maintain healthy, stable and sustainable growth of trilateral cooperation.

China, Japan and the ROK have hosted trilateral summits since 2008, except for a three-and-half-year suspension, which began in May 2012, due to regional tensions.

The sixth China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting was held in Seoul in November last year.