Leaders wary over Asia coalition idea

DALIAN: In a slight pull back from the enthusiasm of creating an East Asian Community similar to the European Union, politicians and scholars said such a coalition is a long-term ambition for China and Japan with a lengthy debate ahead on which nation should lead it.

The message of patience came from leaders and officials of both countries before the fifth Beijing-Tokyo Forum wrapped up in this northeastern city yesterday.

The two-day event is co-sponsored by China Daily and Japanese nonprofit think tank Genron NPO and gathers members from various fields as politics, economics, media and security.