VIENTIANE, Laos - The trilateral cooperative mechanism among Korea, Japan, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has gained renewed momentum for further growth, as all three East Asian countries have now established comprehensive strategic partnerships (CSP) with the ASEAN bloc.

ASEAN members were joined by Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and leaders from China and South Korea in Vientiane on Thursday for talks likely to focus on economic cooperation, North Korea's weapons development programs and other regional issues.