Asia's three major countries - China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) - are responsible for taking the lead in cooperation and integration of East Asia.

The meeting of the foreign ministers of the three countries in Jeju in the ROK on Sunday was an important first step. With tension between China and Japan melting, talks of this kind should give a strategic turn to Asia's future.

With economic globalization rapidly building, regional integration is increasingly important. Greater East Asian cooperation is a precursor to Asian integration.

East Asian countries have a solid economic foundation for cooperation.

At the trilateral talks, it was important for the three countries to compare notes on regional and international issues and, more concretely, define areas for cooperation.

When trilateral relations are on a healthy track, the cooperation and integration of East Asia or, on a larger scale, Asia, are possible.

Today's world presents opportunities for the region to develop a more coherent identity. This helps the regional members safeguard their common interests while taking on the challenges posed by globalization.

With time and experience, the East Asian countries need to resolve how to push forward with ongoing cooperation among the different countries, which are still divided on numerous issues.

The East Asian countries urgently need to strengthen cooperation to sharpen the region's overall competitive edge to benefit from globalization.

Beijing and Tokyo's reconciliation removes one of the obstacles to this cooperation.

Regional cooperation serves as the only way for East Asia to achieve peaceful development. The integration of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, sets an example.

The strengthened relation between ASEAN and the Plus Three countries - China, Japan and the ROK - helps promote East Asia's overall development.

The region needs to determine how to turn the neighborhood into a community. To shape the community, the region needs to better understand each country's history and customs to increase mutual understanding.

(China Daily 06/05/2007 page10)