On June 14, 2008, the second trilateral meeting of foreign ministers from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) was held in Tokyo, Japan. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung Hwan attended the meeting. The three foreign ministers made positive comments on the progress made in the trilateral cooperation and exchanged views on the future development of the trilateral cooperation, cooperation of specific areas as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

Yang first extended condolences to those affected by the devastating earthquake which jolted northeastern Japan earlier in the day. Yang mourned the victims and extended sympathy to the Japanese government and local people. He also repeated China's gratefulness to the Japanese and the ROK governments for their sympathy and timely assistance to China in the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake on May 12. Yang said the meeting was held when the trilateral cooperation is showing bright prospect. "The trilateral cooperation is facing new opportunities and is standing at a threshold," Yang said. "Further development of the trilateral cooperation is in line with the expectation of the three peoples and is conducive to peaceful development of the three countries and the region," Yang said. He called for cherishing of the opportunities to actively push forward the trilateral cooperation toward the direction of peaceful coexistence, comprehensive cooperation, mutual benefit and common development. Yang called on the three sides to keep their respective political promises, improve understanding and trust in each others, expand logistical and financial cooperation, as well as social and cultural exchanges, and deepen communications on regional cooperation and significant international and regional issues, so as to further improve the mechanism of trilateral cooperation.

The three ministers agreed that the trilateral cooperation is very important for peace, stability and prosperity of Asia. They pledged to seize opportunities, grasp the general direction of friendly cooperation and actively implement the achievements reached during the exchanges of visits between leaders. They agreed to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation on political, diplomatic, economic, social, cultural and personnel exchanges and carry out new cooperation on disaster management and relief.

The three ministers agreed to keep regular communications between leaders and foreign ministers of the three countries and scheduled a meeting of heads of government of the three countries in Japan in September.

The three ministers also agreed to enhance communication and coordination on major international and regional issues and strengthen cooperation on promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, combating climate change, environment protection, food and energy safety, support to African development and the United Nations' reform.

Komura and Yu wished the Beijing Olympics a great success.

Prior to the talks, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda met with Yang and Yu. Fukuda extended sincere gratitude for the messages of condolences sent by President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao over the devastating earthquake which jolted northeastern Japan, expressing hope that the two countries will enhance cooperation and jointly cope with disaster. Fukuda spoke highly of President Hu's recent successful visit to Japan, saying that Japan is ready to work with China to well implement various achievements. He also wished the Beijing Olympic Games a complete success. Fukuda hoped that China, Japan and the ROK will strengthen cooperation and jointly handle issues faced by the three sides. Yang said President Hu's successful visit to Japan opened up a new situation for China-Japan strategic and reciprocal relations. China is ready to work with Japan to seriously implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and push bilateral ties to one new level after another. Yang expressed hope that China and Japan will further support each other and expand cooperation on disaster reduction, prevention and post-disaster reconstruction. Yang expressed appreciation for the unremitting efforts made by Japan as coordinator of this year's trilateral cooperation, adding that currently the three countries should seize the opportunity, map out the future of trilateral cooperation from a strategic and long-term perspective and tap potential to push for sound development of the cooperation.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Yang also held talks with his Japanese and ROK counterparts respectively, exchanging views on further developing bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation on international and regional affairs.