Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have joined Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, for a trilateral leaders' meeting.

The three leaders discussed issues including trade and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and agreed to deepen their cooperation in these issues. Li is the first Chinese premier to set foot in Japan in eight years, and Moon the first South Korean president to visit the country in six. The leaders will also hold bilateral talks. It's been 40 years since Beijing and Tokyo signed their Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Premier Li is also set to meet with Emperor Akihito.

LI KEQIANG CHINESE PREMIER "I think it will set a good example for trilateral relations, if we hold the meeting on a regular basis. We have many more common interests than differences. The three countries should and are willing to speed up our free trade talks, and press ahead with RCEP negotiations. We hope parties concerned could seize this current opportunity to resume dialogue. And we should make efforts to bring about a political solution to the DPRK issue, to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, and to bring lasting peace to the region. China will always play a constructive role."

SHINZO ABE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER "If the DPRK can move forward in the right direction, I can normalize diplomatic relations with the DPRK based on the Pyongyang Declaration. This is the persistent position of Japan on the DPRK. The key of the problem is whether the DPRK can walk on the right path and strive for a bright future for the country."

MOON JAE-IN SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT "It's important to maintain the trilateral leaders' meeting as a mechanism. The meeting is the cornerstone for the peace and prosperity of Northeast Asia. We have decided to hold the meeting on a regular basis. The three countries' populations account for one-fifth of the world's total, our GDP accounts for one-quarter of the world economy, while our trade makes up one-fifth of the world's volume. And so, the three of us play a vital role in world peace and the economy. It's our shared responsibility to safeguard peace and development in the region. We're devoted to turning a new chapter for the future of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. We'll become real partners and lead change in the world."