TOKYO, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Saturday urged Asian and Latin American countries to promote bi-regional cooperation and seek common development.

    Yang made the appeal at the ongoing foreign ministers' meeting of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC).

    As the world continues to be undergoing complicated and profound changes, it is of great significance that countries from both regions have an in-depth exchange of views on issues of common concern and discuss important matters for future cooperation and development, said Yang in a keynote speech.

    To achieve the goal of common development, the Chinese foreign minister said that Asia and Latin America need to enhance cooperation to expedite the recovery and growth of the world economy.

    And the two regions also need to facilitate coordination in a joint effort to encourage environment-friendly and sustainable development, he said.

    As the FEALAC conforms to the historical trend and keeps pace with the time, the forum should be based on mutual understanding, focus on practical cooperation and aim to meet global challenges, Yang said.

    China attaches great importance to and has played an active part in the forum, he said.

    Over the past 10 years, China has staged cooperative programs of various forms in a host of areas, which help promote mutual understanding and advance bi-regional practical cooperation, Yang said.

    China is ready to launch forums on the subjects of bio-energy, medium-sized and small enterprises, finance, agriculture and culture as well as training programs in a bid to make new contributions to bi-regional cooperation, he said.

    The Chinese foreign minister arrived Friday to attend the 4th FEALAC foreign ministers' meeting starting Saturday.

    The two-day meeting will discuss such issues as environment and sustainable development, economic and financial crisis, and social inclusion such as reducing disparities.

    Initiated in 1999, the forum is an international framework consisting of 34 countries including 16 countries in Asia and 18 in Latin America, with the purpose of strengthening cooperative relations in a wide variety of areas between Asia and Latin America.