Japan, China, S. Korea Agree to Ensure Safety of Ship Operations

Yokohama, Aug. 25 (Jiji Press)--Japan, China and South Korea agreed Monday to work together to ensure the safety of ship operations. High-ranking officials in charge of transportation from the three countries reached the agreement at a meeting in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. In a joint statement adopted at the meeting, the officials said that the three nations will share information on safety measures for ships. The countries will also cooperate in establishing an efficient logistics system, developing an Arctic Ocean route and setting up a distribution system more environmentally friendly. The meeting, the fifth of its kind, was attended by Japanese transport minister Akihiro Ota, Zhou Haitao, chief engineer of the Chinese Ministry of Transport, and South Korean Minister of Ocean and Fisheries Lee Ju-young. "The meeting was meaningful toward strengthening cooperation among Japan, China and South Korea in the field of transportation," Ota said, adding that he believes the stepped-up trilateral cooperation will contribute greatly to economic growth in Northeast Asia. END