The government, China and Japan have agreed to enhance cooperation in combating new types of influenza including bird flu.

Health and Welfare Minister Rhyu Si-min and his Chinese and Japanese counterparts held talks over the weekend, and issued a joint statement on collaboration on inspections, monitoring, investigations and treatment for infectious diseases including bird flu.

They agreed to minimize economic damage and protect their people through close cooperation and exchanges.

The three nations also promised to extend the three-way cooperation to general health and medical areas, including Oriental medicine, medicine research and public health hazards from natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

The ministers will meet every year to expand cooperation in dealing with contagious diseases in Northeast Asia. The next gathering will take place in Beijing in October next year.