China's Foreign Ministry says it holds the relationship between China, Japan and South Korea in high regard. The comment came after a leaders meeting between the three nations was cancelled due to the domestic crisis in South Korea.

"We pay a lot of attention to cooperation between China, Japan and South Korea. We are willing to make efforts with Japan and South Korea to maintain trilateral cooperation, and ensure the sustainable development of trilateral cooperation. At the same time, we think the leaders meeting should be held under the right circumstances to ensure appropriate achievements. At the moment, the three countries are in communication on matters relating to the meeting," said Geng Shuang, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry.