China trying for regional trade pact by 2015: Premier

Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday that Beijing will work to speed up the pace of China-backed trade negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, trying to have the pact inked by 2015.

Li, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Boao Forum for Asia, called on all nations in the region to unite to promote trade liberalization and to facilitate investments.

"An economic integration is in the common interests of all the nations," Li said. He also suggested a feasibility study be conducted on the proposed Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific to maximize trade and investment interests in the region.