Officials, investors note zone benefits

Editor's note: Government officials and business delegates share their thoughts on the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area before tomorrow's forum on the pact begins:

Zhang Kening, senior official in the Ministry of Commerce:

Guangxi plays an important role in the establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA), and it has successfully hosted China-ASEAN Expo and Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum. After the inception of the FTA, the region is expected to better utilize its unique advantage.