CRI听力:Premier Li to Visit South Korea, Attend China-Japan-South Korea Summit

It will be Li's first visit to South Korea as premier and the first visit to South Korea by a Chinese premier in five years.

The premier will attend the sixth Trilateral Summit Meeting on the sidelines of his visit from Saturday to Monday.

Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin says good relations between China, Japan and South Korea will help improve the economic situation, both locally and globally.

"Facing the complicated international situation and the weak recovery of the world economy, strengthening trilateral cooperation will help maintain regional peace and stability, and power the economic development of Asia and the world."

For his part, assistant Minister of Commerce Tong Daochi says close economic ties are of great importance as each of the three countries plays an important role in the world economy and international trade cooperation.

"China, Japan and South Korea combined account for 20 percent of the world economy, 20 percent of the world population and 20 percent of the world's total foreign investment. Strengthening economic and trade cooperation between these countries will be beneficial to promoting regional integrity and global economic cooperation."

The first trilateral meeting was held in 2008.

But the meetings have been halted since 2012 as tensions among the three countries soured over territorial disputes.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying says all parties should seize the opportunity for cooperation.

"It's been three years since the trilateral leaders' summit was held last time. China hopes the sides can take the opportunity to pave the way for future cooperation, strengthening cooperation in traditional areas as well as new areas. The three sides should tackle historical issues properly and provide a stable environment for future development. "

The spokesperson also adds that the three countries should continue partnerships in areas including trade, culture and sustainable development, and expand into new areas such as the economy, information technology and poverty reduction.

For CRI, I'm Victor Ning.