soo, who hosted the meeting of three Asian economic powerhouses, confirmed that there were plans to increase the size and scope of the swap pact. The runup to the meeting had been overshadowed by speculation about China's plans to reform its yuan currency and diplomatic disputes. Relations between Japan and China plummeted to their lowest level in three decades in recent weeks over a series of disputes, including Tokyo's treatment of wartime history, which is also a bone of contention in ties with Seoul. But Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said the political rivals would pursue economic cooperation that is crucial to stability in the world's fastest growing region. "Whatever happens, we need to promote financial cooperation even if there are issues," he said. ADB officials said the tensions would not affect their role as guarantors of regional financial stability under the five-year-old Chiang Mai Initiative. --More 2239 Local Time 1939 GMT
