China, Japan, South Korea to deepen economic relations after summit

East Asian powerhouses China, Japan and South Korea on Monday agreed to deepen economic relations and revitalize negotiations on a free trade agreement.

In a joint declaration after a summit in Seoul, the powers emphasized their commitment to the goal of a nuclear-free Korean peninsula and political solutions for issues between South Korea and North Korea.

The statement also included calls for cooperation on sustainable development, health care, science and technology, and disaster management.

The countries were represented in the South Korean capital by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Yoon said at a press conference that the three countries "have decided to hold regular trilateral meetings." The powers agreed the format has "valuable significance for the revitalization of trilateral cooperation."

The meeting was the countries' ninth trilateral summit, but the first since December 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic coupled with tensions between South Korea and Japan. Relations have since improved between the two nations, both allies of the United States.

Both are closely linked to China through trade ties while also sharing Washington's concerns about Beijing's expanding reach. China is the largest trading partner for both South Korea and Japan.

The focus is now on how the talks can be accelerated to reach a comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement, they said.

The summit in Seoul was initially overshadowed by North Korea's announcement that it intended to launch a satellite into space in the next few days.

According to reports from the Japanese news agency Kyodo, North Korea had informed Japan that the launch of the carrier rocket was to take place in the next few days.

South Korea's military had recently spoken of signs that North Korea was making preparations for the launch of a second spy satellite.

The US and its allies South Korea, Japan and Australia imposed new sanctions on North Korea because of the satellite launch. They accused Pyongyang of using technologies related to its intercontinental ballistic missile programme.

Yoon and Kishida urged North Korea at the tripartite summit to refrain from the launch as it would be a violation of UN prohibition resolutions.

"I think the international community must respond resolutely," warned Yoon.

China's premier called for restraint. China remains determined to maintain peace on the peninsula, he said.

"We hope that the parties concerned will exercise restraint and prevent any further complication of the situation," Li said. Beijing continues to have good relations with Pyongyang.