ASEAN to Open Free-trade Talks with China: Thai OfficialThe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is preparing to open talks with China on the possible establishment of a common free-trade area next year, a Thai official said in Bangkok on Thursday.Karun Kittisathaporn, permanent secretary of the commerce ministry was quoted by the state-owned radio as saying that the topic would be put on high agenda at the ASEAN summit to be held between November 4 and 6 in Brunei. "ASEAN members are set to declare their intention to study the possibility of setting the free trade area between the group and China during the summit. Official talks on the matter are expected to begin next year," he said. Earlier, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra stressed that ASEAN must try to pursue close cooperation with China, South Korea and Japan. He said the summit would also discuss ways to strengthen cooperation among ASEAN members, including accelerating the long- delayed implementation of ASEAN free trade area agreement. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Premier Zhu to Attend ASEAN SummitChinese Premier Zhu Rongji will attend the 5th leaders meeting between the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) ("10+3") and the 5th leaders meeting between ASEAN and China ("10+1") and will pay an official visit to Indonesia from December 4 to 11.Zhu is to make the tour at the invitation of Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi announced recently. During the leaders meetings, Zhu will also attend the informal meeting between leaders of China, Japan and ROK, the spokesman said. |
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