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Southeast Asian leaders to investigate free trade zone

Southeast Asian leaders meeting in Brunei have agreed to investigate the establishment of a huge East Asia free trade zone, taking in China, Japan and South Korea.

The proposal by South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung was given a tentative green light at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit with their three dialogue partners, China, Japan and South Korea.

A study group will report back to the next ASEAN summit in 2002.

ASEAN is already progressing with studies into a free trade bloc with China alone which would cover nearly two billion people.

5/11/01 22:31:18 | ABC Radio Australia News

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