Strategic experts from China, the United States and Japan for the first time gathered to discuss strategic issues concerning energy sources in the East China Sea during a two-day meeting that concluded in Beijing Friday.

The think tank talks focused on the strained relations between China and Japan and stressed the importance of eliminating differences between them and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Participants discussed how to promote mutual understanding and enhance cooperation through dialogues.

Among those present were Wu Jianmin, president of China Foreign Affairs University, Wang Jisi, dean of the School of International Studies of Beijing University, James Steinberg, former US deputy national security adviser, Jeffrey Bader, director of the China Initiative at the Brookings Institution, Koji Watanabe, senior fellow of Japan Center for International Exchange and Yukio Okamoto, former special advisor to the Japanese Prime Minister.

The participants decided to convene this meeting in the wake of friction between China and Japan earlier this year. The proposal for the meeting originated in the Brooking Institution and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which proposed the gathering to the School of International Studies of Beijing University.

Sino-American think tanks talks, which started in 1998, have been known as "the Second Channel Diplomacy", drawing important think tanks agencies from both sides.

The organizers decided to hold another meeting in Japan in the first half of next year to continue their discussions. They hope these meetings will help deepen their mutual understanding and close gaps among the three countries.

The participants wish to make clear that views and recommendations they put forward during the meeting are not representing their governments.

Source: Xinhua