BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Monday that Premier Wen Jiabao will meet with leaders of Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Japan in May this year.

"We hope the leaders' meeting of the three countries will produce positive outcomes and contribute to greater strategic communication, political mutual trust and more practical cooperation in various fields," said Yang at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session.

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Our priority should be to promote the joint research on a free trade area among the three countries and advance the negotiation process for investment agreements, he said.

"We hope the three countries will play a bigger role in promoting peace, stability and development in Asia as a whole," said Yang.

"We need to deepen cooperation in recycling economy, science and technology and environmental protection, and step up cultural and people-to-people exchanges," Yang told reporters.

He also noted that Vice Premier Wang Qishan will attend the China-Japan high-level economic dialogue later this year.