China, Japan and South Korea held a cultural forum in Beijing Tuesday, pledging to increase cultural exchanges to promote friendship and cooperation.

 

Officials with the three countries reviewed previous exchanges and discussed plans to jointly host activities.

 

The discussions focused on using social and civil resources in exchange activities.

 

Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations, the China-Japan year of cultural and sport exchanges, the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-South Korea diplomatic ties and the China-South Korea Year of Exchange.

 

The three sides agreed to enhance exchanges in sport, the arts, education and protection on cultural heritage in an effort to promote the friendship among their peoples.

 

This is the second meeting of the China-Japan-South Korea cultural forum, which was founded last year in Seoul to increase mutual understanding and friendship, especially among the young.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 20, 2006)