Mechanisms 5th Trilateral Summit in Beijing, China 2012.05.13
The Fifth Trilateral Summit among the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan was convened in Beijing, China, on May 13, 2012 with the attendance of H.E. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of China, H.E. Lee Myung-bak, President of the ROK and H.E. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan. The delegation of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), headed by Secretary General Shin Bong-kil, participated in the Summit as an observer. 

The leaders of the three countries engaged in an in-depth discussion on further enhancing the trilateral cooperation, promoting common development among the three countries as well as making contributions to the stability, development and prosperity of the region and the world at large. The leaders adopted the Joint Declaration on the Enhancement of Trilateral Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership. 

With an aim to enhance political mutual trust, the leaders agreed to step up high-level contact, and providecontinuous and strong political support for the relations and steady development of cooperation among the three countries. 

Based on the conclusion and recommendations contained in the Report of the Joint Study for an FTA among the three countries, the leaders decided to launch the trilateral FTA negotiation within this year. The leaders also agreed to sign the Trilateral Agreement for the Promotion, Facilitation and Protection of Investment and on the early completion of the respective domestic procedures in the three countries. 

Stressing the significance of promoting sustainable development, the leaders agreed to push forward greater cooperation efforts in the areas of environmental protection, renewable energy technology, agriculture and forestry. In this regard, they adopted two joint statements: Joint Statement on Agricultural Cooperation andJoint Statement of Cooperation on Sustainable Forest Management, Combating Desertification and Wildlife Conservation. 

With regard to social, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, the leaders welcomed the on-going friendly exchange activities and encouraged to further expand cooperation in cultural heritage protection, cultural industry development, CAMPUS Asia, and personnel administration. 

The leaders reiterated their support for strengthening communication and coordination with regard to regional and international issues. They agreed that the three countries would make a positive contribution to the success of the G20 Summit, the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, the ASEM Summit, the ASEAN Plus Three Summit and the East Asia Summit to be held later this year. 

Following the meeting, the leaders attended the signing ceremony of the Trilateral Agreement for the Promotion, Facilitation and Protection of Investment between the three countries and held a joint press conference. They also attended the launching ceremony of the "CAMPUS ASIA". The leaders decided to meet again at the Sixth Trilateral Summit, which will be held in the Republic of Korea in 2013.