Free trade area seen as new priority

Setting up an Asia-Pacific free trade area has become a new top priority on the agenda for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, according to a senior Chinese government official.

All APEC member economies expect to reach a high-quality, comprehensive, balanced and inclusive free trade pact, the official said.

Vice-Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen, speaking at the APEC meeting in Manila, said China is willing to work with all parties to complete a collective strategic study on the agreement by the end of next year.