Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Saturday called for China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to deepen trilateral cooperation from strategic perspective.

Wen made the remarks during the second trilateral leaders' meeting held on Saturday morning at the Great Hall of People. It was chaired by Wen and attended by ROK President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.

Wen said mutual respect, friendship and addressing the core interests of common concern were the political basis of trilateral cooperation.

He said the three countries would improve cooperation by taking effective measures in cooperation in trade, investment, finance, transportation, information, environment protection, green economy and public health.

Wen also called on all parties involved to seize the opportunities in the relaunch of the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama called for the acceleration of progress toward a free trade area (FTA) between Japan, China and the ROK.

He hoped to sign trilateral investment agreements at an early date, adding that tackling the economic crisis should not lead to trade protectionism.

ROK President Lee Myung-bak agreed that the ROK, China and Japan, with increasing international status, were shouldering important responsibilities, and they had vigorously cooperated to address the crisis.

Lee said the leaders of the three countries had agreed that sustainable and balanced growth of the world economy should be realized and they would maintain active cooperation at the G20 summit.

China, the ROK and Japan also issued the Joint Statement on the Tenth Anniversary of Trilateral Cooperation and the Joint Statement on Sustainable Development among the three countries.

The joint statements drew up plans for future cooperation that include building up mutual trust and pursuing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The three countries also pledged to 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.

Leaders from the three nations reached concensus to hold the third trilateral meeting next year in the ROK.