Wen calls for defusing tensions over S.Korean warship sinking, starts visit to Japan

• Source: Xinhua
• [08:21 May 31 2010]
• Comments

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attends the second phase of the third trilateral summit in South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju on May 30, 2010. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama met in the trilateral summit with the aim of mapping out future cooperation in East Asia. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Sunday called for the proper handling of the serious consequences of the March sinking of a South Korean warship, and efforts to gradually ease tensions in the region over the incident.

"The pressing task for the moment is to properly handle the serious impact caused by the Cheonan incident, defuse tensions in the region, and most importantly of all, avoid possible conflicts," Wen said.

Wen was speaking at a joint press conference following a two-day summit meeting with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on the South Korean resort island.

Wen urged the Northeast Asian nations to help maintain regional peace and stability.

"We must spare no effort to promote peace and stability in Northeast Asia. Short of this precondition, development will be out of the question, and the hard-won achievements will be lost again," he stressed.

"China will continue to enhance communication with relevant parties (over the Cheonan incident) in order to steer the situation toward a direction which is conducive to peace and stability in Northeast Asia. This is in our best common and long-term interests," Wen said.

As the region is facing many new challenges, China, Japan and South Korea should strengthen coordination between them, appropriately deal with sensitive issues and increase mutual political trust, Wen said.

Efforts to boost economic ties

Wen called for further efforts to establish the mechanism and framework of cooperation among China, Japan and South Korea in line with a blueprint mapping out cooperation in the region over the next decade.

He made the call at a trilateral summit on South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju also attended by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.

The Chinese premier said the three countries should take into account one another's major concerns and properly handle sensitive issues so as to enhance political mutual trust and maintain peace and stability in the region.