DHAKA: The leaders of South Korea, China and Japan have held their first summit in more than three years, setting aside historical animosities and territorial disputes to focus on shared security and trade concerns.

No substantive breakthroughs were expected, but Sunday’s meeting in the South Korean capital, Seoul, is a symbolic statement of intent by northeast Asia’s three largest economies which all stand to reap significant diplomatic and economic gains from closer cooperation.

The focus was very much on economic ties, with China - represented by Li Keqiang, the premier - especially eager to boost trade links as it seeks to inject some fresh momentum into its slowing economy.

Also high on the agenda was North Korea, whose nuclear weapons ambitions pose a worry - and threat - to all three countries, including China, which is the North’s main diplomatic protector and economic benefactor.

The summit will be capped on Monday by a first ever one-on-one summit between South Korea President Park Geun-hye and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, after an extended diplomatic freeze.

South Korea and Japan together host about 80,000 US troops, the core of America’s military presence in the Asia-Pacific. The US wants to solidify its alliance with the two countries to better deal with a rising China and a North Korean threat.

BDST: 1746 HRS, Nov 01, 2015
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