Young leaders from China, Japan and Republic of Korea (ROK) gathered here Monday to discuss trilateral cooperation between the Northeast Asian neighbors at a 11-day forum.

The Future Leaders Forum 2005: China-Japan-ROK, an initiative for youth exchanges among the three nations, is co-sponsored by the All-China Youth Federation (ACYF),Japan Foundation and Korea Foundation.14 delegates working in the three countries political, business and academic sectors participated in the forum.

Zhao Yaqiao, an official with the ACYF, said the participants will carry out open discussions on various topics in Northeast Asia so as to increase mutual understanding and trust between the three countries. "The forum is expected to consolidate the existing youth exchange mechanism."

Besides Beijing, the participants will also travel to Gifu Prefecture in Japan and Gwangju in ROK for a further exchange of views.

Along with their fast-growing trade cooperation, the three Asian nations also enjoy close links in other fields. They are seeking diverse ways to enhance their interdependent relations.

In October 2003, state leaders from China, Japan and ROK signed a joint declaration in Indonesia to boost three-party cooperation in economy, trade, culture, personnel exchanges and security.

In June 2004, the Three-Party Committee hosted by foreign ministers of the three countries was established. The committee issued a progress report on November 2004, underlining the role of the Future Leaders Forum. It says youth exchanges are beneficial to long-term friendship between the three nations.

(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2005)