China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) promised unremitting efforts toward sustainable development of the three countries and the region in the Joint Statement on Sustainable Development issued at the Second China-Japan-ROK Summit Meeting on Saturday.

The meeting is chaired by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and attended by ROK President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.

The statement said that during the meeting, the leaders from the three countries reviewed with satisfaction the progress made by the three countries in the implementation of the Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Tripartite Cooperation among the People's Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea on 7 October 2003, the Joint Statement for Tripartite Partnership and the Action Plan for Promoting Trilateral Cooperation among the People's Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea adopted on 13 December 2008, including their fruitful cooperation for sustainable development.

The leaders reaffirmed the three countries' shared vision and responsibility for creating a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for the region and international community, said the statement.

In the statement the leaders stressed that sustainable development bears on the survival and development of all countries and peace and stability of the world, and while taking vigorous measures to address the international financial crisis and promote economic recovery, the three countries should work hard to develop green economy, make joint efforts to facilitate a virtuous cycle between the social and economic system and the natural and ecological system, promote balance between economic growth and social development,and contribute to the realization of sustainable development.

The statement said the leaders resolved to strengthen cooperation in several areas, in particular of developing green economy, in the spirit of seeking mutual benefit and win-win results.

The areas of cooperation indicated in the statement are as follows:

-- Endorse the 10 priority cooperation areas identified at the 11th Tripartite Environment Ministers Meeting (TEMM), such as biodiversity conservation, environment awareness, encourage the development of a tripartite joint action plan which is to be adopted at the 12th TEMM in 2010, and take joint practical measures to facilitate cooperation; further promote sustainable environment management;

-- Explore the establishment of a China-Japan-ROK circular economy model base in the spirit of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, and to make joint efforts to promote resource-conserving and environment-friendly industrial structure, growth pattern and consumption mode.

-- Promote the China-Japan-ROK Joint Research Collaboration Program, carry out diverse forms of exchanges and cooperation,and bring into play the role of scientific and technological progress and innovation as the engine of resolution of common regional issues and economic development.

-- Establish a mechanism for meeting of ministers responsible for water resources in due course, focusing on integrated river management and water resources management adapting to climate change.

-- Promote cooperation in sustainable forest management and wildlife protection, and work together to facilitate harmonious development between man and nature.

-- Work closely together and spearhead cooperative efforts in international frameworks for energy cooperation, aiming to promote sustainable development through deployment of clean energy and improvement of energy efficiency.

-- Explore tripartite cooperation mechanisms in agriculture.

-- Work closely through strengthened dialogue among the three countries to contribute to the successful achievement of the Copenhagen Conference, including the establishment of an effective post-2012 international cooperation framework on climate change, consistent with the principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in particular common but differentiated responsibilities.