Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of trilateral cooperation at the Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday afternoon.

The leaders toured the museum and listened to primary students from their three countries reading Du Fu's poems in their own languages, which won leaders' applause.

When the leaders arrived at Du's former residence, Premier Li cited Du's poem "Could I get mansions covering ten thousand miles, I'd house all scholars poor and make them beam with smiles," and praised his warm feelings towards people and country.

The leaders then unveiled a commemorative envelope marking the 20th anniversary of trilateral cooperation and signed their names, also visiting a commemorative photo exhibition before together planting an osmanthus tree to symbolize the three countries' friendship.

Du Fu (712 – 770), hailed as the poet sage by Chinese people, lived in the thatched cottage he built in Chengdu for four years. He wrote about 240 poems during the time, which is considered the peak of his creativity.

Du's poems have been sung for more than a thousand years and enjoy a wide popularity, especially in the East Asian cultural sphere. Many Korean and Japanese tourists have made the trip to Chengdu to visit Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum, expressing their admiration for the great poet.

(Cover image: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (C), President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Moon Jae-in (L) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) attend the launch ceremony of a commemorative envelope marking the 20th anniversary of trilateral cooperation at the Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, December 24, 2019. /Photo via Xinhua News Agency)