(VOVworld) - Trade chiefs from Japan, China and South Korea agreed Saturday to cooperate to promote trade and investment across the globe at a trilateral meeting in Tokyo.

Representatives from South Korea, Japan, and China at a trilateral meeting in 2015 (Photo: Yonhap)

The three East Asian countries also reaffirmed in a joint statement the need to counter protectionist moves and pledged to play a leading role in realizing high-level and comprehensive rules in a three-way trade pact they are pursuing and the broader Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The RCEP is an ambitious trade agreement being discussed by the three countries, the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Australia, India and New Zealand. It encourages member countries to cooperate to boost economic development and resolve issues.