Premier believes regional economic pact coming this year

Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday he hopes and believes that the commitment made by leaders of 15 countries at leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation last year on signing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership by the end of this year will happen as scheduled.

China, Japan and the Republic of Korea also are working closely together to advance their free trade agreement talk. The three countries are close neighbors, and China would like to work with the other two countries to develop their own business cycles within a bigger picture, Li said at a press conference after the closing of the third session of the 13th National People's Congress.

China and the ROK recently opened a fast track lane service for personnel interflow and exchanges in the areas of commerce and technology. "We believe this will deliver benefits to all participants," Li said.

He also noted that China keeps an open attitude towards joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.