Leaders of China, Japan and South Korea signed a joint statement on trilateral partnership relations on Saturday.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak signed the statement to promote tripartite cooperation in various fields after holding a trilateral meeting.

Before the meeting, Wen met Lee and Aso respectively on bilateral relations.

The three leaders would hold a joint press conference, and meet representatives of youth of the three countries. Wen will fly back to Beijing late in the day.

The last tripartite meeting was held in Singapore on November 20, 2007.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2008)