PHILIPPINES: China, Japan and South Korea hold trilateral meeting, Singapore sees ASEAN signing charter in 2008

Japan and South Korea held their first trilateral meeting since Shinzo Abe took over as Japanese prime minister last year. Meanwhile, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday that ASEAN aims to have a landmark charter ready for signing at its next year summit in his country. China, Japan and South Korea held their first trilateral meeting in Cebu, Philippines on Sunday (January 14). This is the first meeting of the three countries since Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took over from Junichiro Koizumi last year end. It is seen as a sign of improving relations under the less-controversial Abe. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao chaired the meeting and engaged in discussion with Abe and South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun on trilateral cooperation, including international and regional issues of common concern. "As important countries in Asia, China, Japan and ROK (South Korea) shoulder great responsibilities in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in Asia," their statement read. While they agreed to start talks on an investment pact, increase cooperation on environmental issues and promote discussions on energy security, the trio merely repeated their concern about Pyongyang's October 9 nuclear test. Although both are competing for influence with ASEAN, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said he would visit Abe in April, the clearest sign yet of warmer bilateral relations between the two countries after years of hostility under Abe's predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with Philippines president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the 5th India-ASEAN Summit at Cebu, Philippines. Out on the streets, filipino practioners of Falun Gong protested holdings banners and pictures of alleged violence on Falun Gong members in China. "We ask Premier Wen Jiabao to help stop the persecution of Falun Gong. Hundreds, thousands of practitioners are tortured in first labour camps in China." said, Jobo Lavina, a practitioner of Falun Gong based in Philippines. Meanwhile, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that ASEAN aims to have a landmark charter ready for signing at its next year summit in his country. Lee told Reuters that ASEAN leaders' acceptance of a blueprint of charter was a major achievement as the group tries to become a pivotal player in Asian trade and diplomacy. "I think to bring forward our target for the ASEAN community to 2015 from 2020 is a token of the seriousness of purpose of the leaders, that we know the world is changing and we can't stand around we have to move fast. So that sets a direction for the officials, and sets deadlines which we will have to work towards. And also having the ASEAN charter blueprint accepted and the document drafting launched so that next year at the 40th anniversary, we're not just having fireworks and celebrations but we are taking a significant step ahead for ASEAN," Lee said in an intreview. Lee, meanwhile, maintained ASEAN's non-commital position on Myanmar's democracy. "Myanmar really has to decide its own way forward, as its a member of ASEAN, we accept that, they participate in ASEAN meetings. And we express our views to the Myanmar ministers and they know where our stance is. Whether they move forward, how they move forward they have to decide for themselves," Lee said

ITN Source | January 14, 2007

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