China's Renmin University kicked off the two-day "East Asia
Cooperation Forum 2006" in Beijing on Saturday. The theme of the
forum is "Constructing a harmonious East Asia: responsibility and
action for China, Japan and the Republic of Korea".
More than 100 governmental officials and experts from China,
Japan and the ROK attended the Forum.
Yuan Wei, vice-president of Renmin University, Wu Jianmin,
president of China Foreign Affairs University, together with ROK
and Japanese officials made speeches at the opening ceremony,
insisting on the need for "communication and interaction among
China, Japan and the ROK" in order to create a harmonious
society.
Speakers said that "intellectual support from academics is also
necessary. The political and public bases for East Asian
cooperation must be expanded."
Hosted by the School of International Studies, the forum will
focus on security mechanisms for the East Asia Cooperation Scheme
and the development of an East Asian Community.
Henceforth an annual event, the Forum is touted as a high-level
communication platform for experts and scholars to discuss peace,
development and cooperation in East Asia.
(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2006)