Economic powerhouses urged to lead regional financial cooperation

TOKYO - China and Japan, the world's second- and third-largest economies, should lead Asia to have a bigger say in international financial issues, economists and diplomats from two countries said at the Sixth Beijing-Tokyo Forum.

Describing Asian activity as an engine of global economic revival and growth, Su Ning, chairman of China UnionPay and former deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, said in his keynote speech that China and Japan are standing at "a new starting point" in their cooperation in financial markets.

"We need to make continuous efforts to expand bilateral trade and enhance economic dialogue, but working closely to promote regional financial cooperation between Asian countries for a better place in financial matters is equally important."