State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Aug 20 met with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in northern Beijing’s Gubei water town, where they were to attend the ninth meeting of foreign ministers of China, Japan and the ROK.

Wang said he and colleagues selected the meeting location near the Great Wall, in that the Wall's cultural and historical connotation is familiar to East Asian people.

The three countries all have gone through long histories, from which they learned lessons, Wang said, adding that they should not forget or ignore history while facing up to the future.

He also said the three economies are influential in the world and should jointly work together to confront prevailing unilateralism, which is in line with their respective and common interests, and the international community’s hope.

Wang called for the joint efforts of the three to work for peace, stability and prosperity of the region despite differences and contradictions, noting it was critical to strengthen cooperation at present.

He also said he expected that more consensuses would be reached at the meeting on Aug 21 prior to this year’s annual meeting of the countries’ leaders.