China calls for trade drive

China would like to see the establishment of an East Asian economic community through deeper pragmatic engagement and a sustained drive focusing on regional connectivity, free trade, financial cooperation and sustainable development, Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said on Friday.

"In free trade, we should bring about an early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and China-Japan-South Korea free trade agreement negotiations, which will contribute to establishing an Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area," Liu said in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 15th East Asia Forum.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is also the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a cooperative framework between ASEAN countries, China, Japan and South Korea, which is also known as the"10+3"mechanism.