Premier Li Keqiang said on Nov 4 that China this year will hold the eighth China-Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) leaders' meeting, an occasion for the three East Asian countries to join hands in forging closer trilateral ties.

"We look forward to taking this opportunity to promote trilateral cooperation and jointly safeguard regional peace, stability, development and prosperity," noted Premier Li.

Premier Li made the remarks when meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the 35th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Thailand.

Enhancing mutual trust

Hailing China and Japan as close neighbors and global economic powers, Premier Li said the two countries share the common will of safeguarding multilateral free trade and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation.

"A healthy, stable and lasting China-Japan relationship would benefit the two peoples and inject a new impetus into the global economic downturn," Premier Li noted, urging the two countries to enhance political mutual trust on sensitive issues of core interests and major concerns.

Abe, for his part, said Japan is willing to strengthen dialogues and coordination with China in regional and international affairs.

Hailing the improving China-Japan ties in the past year, he said he looks forward to attending the upcoming China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting to push forward the trilateral cooperation to a new level.