CHANGCHUN - Given increasing globalization and regional economic integration, Northeast Asian countries should focus on economic cooperation and separate it from other issues, said a Chinese official Sept 6 in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin province.

Bai Lichen, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at the 7th China Jilin Northeast Asia Investment and Trade Expo, which kicked off on Sept 6.

East Asian countries lag behind Southeast countries in terms of cooperation, he said.

An ineffective communication environment and weak foundation for economic and trade cooperation currently exist in East Asia, said Bai.

Those countries with close economic relations should expand their cooperation. Then they should get other economies to join their bilateral and multilateral cooperation, he suggested.

The five-day China Jilin Northeast Asia Investment and Trade Expo is a comprehensive international and regional state-level exposition that aims to facilitate regional communication among Northeast Asian countries.

Covering an area of about 9 million square km, the Northeast Asia region includes the northeastern part of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia and Russia's Siberia.

With about 300 million inhabitants, the Northeast Asia region accounts for about one fifth of the world's GDP.