Concept for pact goes back to 2004

There's no need to worry that the expected launch of work on a free trade zone would complicate the trade terrain in the Asia-Pacific. Instead, it would raise hopes for a solution of the current "spaghetti bowl" dilemma.

Attention has been focused on the prospect of establishing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific as a series of high-profile Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings opened here this week. One of the meeting's outcomes, China expects, will be the start of the FTAAP process.

Those who see the move as China's challenge to the Trans-Pacific Partnership and anticipate diplomatic wrestling over it will find their speculations unfounded and unnecessary, observers say.