Summary of ASEAN+3
(Japan, People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea)
Summit Meeting

24 November 2000

The main points discussed at the ASEAN+3 (Japan, People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea) Summit Meeting, held from 15:30 to 17:00 on 24 November, are outlined below.

1. The remarks of each leader in response to the statement by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, Goh Chok Tong (Chair of the meeting), as he raised the issue of how to promote ASEAN+3 cooperation, while touching on the outcome of the ASEAN Summit Meeting, were as follows:

   (1) China: Premier Zhu Rongji defined China's positive stance toward ASEAN+3 while referring to specific cooperation. Premier Zhu Rongji also stressed that China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) would not pose a threat to ASEAN.

   (2) Japan: Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori advocated the "Three Principles for Enhancing Open Regional Cooperation in East Asia": (1) building partnership; (2) open regional cooperation; and (3) comprehensive dialogue and cooperation including political-security fields. Prime Minister Mori proposed the following in terms of specific cooperation:

   1. Information Communication Technology (IT): Cooperation of Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea in the e-ASEAN Initiative and holding of the "Joint Conference of Government Officials, Prominent Academics and Business Leaders for IT Cooperation in East Asia."
   2. Anti-piracy: Necessity of a comprehensive approach toward piracy and holding of the "Asian Cooperation Conference on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships."
   3. Chiang Mai Initiative: Prime Minister Mori welcomed the agreement on the basic principles of the swap agreement and announced Japan's support towards the ASEAN Secretariat.
   4. "Millennium Forum - Voice of Asia"
   5. Cooperation in political-security fields: Prime Minister Mori emphasized the importance of the Korean Peninsula and Indonesia for the stability of Asia.

   (3) ROK: Referring to the "East Asia Vision Group," President Kim Dae Jung suggested the establishment of an East Asia Study Group in order to review the modalities of cooperation in East Asia by both government and the private sector.

   (4) ASEAN: The following remarks were made from the ASEAN leaders: We should consider the possibility of holding an "East Asian Summit" to promote cooperation in East Asia; ASEAN+3 should discuss political-security fields in the future; We should foster partnership in East Asia; Asia should present a candidate for the next United Nations Secretary-General; We should not forget to see things from both bilateral and multilateral points of view; We welcome Japan's US$15 billion Comprehensive Cooperation Package on Information Technology (IT); We should carry out research regarding the possibility of creating a free trade and investment area in East Asia in the East Asia Study Group.

2. Prime Minister Goh summarized the discussions, commenting that it is conceivable that the "ASEAN+3 Summit Meeting," in which the member countries discuss how Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea should cooperate with ASEAN, will evolve into an "East Asian Summit," in which member countries will participate as an individual member of East Asia, in order to advance cooperation in the East Asia region. Prime Minister Goh said that he would have the East Asia Study Group consider the possibility of an "East Asian Summit" as well as the possibility of a free trade and investment area in East Asia.