The commerce and trade ministers of China, Japan and South Korea held trilateral talks in Tokyo on Saturday and discussed issues to increase economic cooperation and strengthen trade among them.

Chinese commerce minister Gao Hucheng, Japanese economy minister Hiroshige Seko and South Korean trade and industry minister Joo Hyung Hwan took part in an annual trilateral trade meeting in the Japanese capital ahead of a crucial China Japan South Korea summit. The three Asian countries agreed at the meeting to strengthen trade and increase economic cooperation among them.

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They all gave a nod, too,  to accelerate talks aimed at reaching consensus on China Japan South Korea free trade agreement and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The trade chiefs of the three countries also voiced concerns over the increasing trade protectionism and decided to take joint action against it.

The Chinese trade minister emphasized on the acceleration of economic integration among the three countries to contribute to the steady economic growth in Asia.

"The momentum of global economic recovery is still weak. Economic globalization has encountered setbacks," Hucheng said. "Trade and investment are still at a low ebb while protectionism is picking up." 

"At the G20 Summit in September, leaders of major economies reached important consensus on boosting growth, pushing forward the transformation of the Group of 20 and giving new momentum to global development," he added. "Asia plays a unique role in economic globalization. Accelerating economic integration in the region and the cooperation model between the regional economies have set a good example for other parts of the world."

China, Japan and South Korea are three of Asia's biggest economies. 

Tagschina, Japan, South Korea, Trade talks, free trade agreement