The 11^th consultation between the ten ASEAN Economic Ministers and their Chinese counterpart Chen Deming opened in Siem Reap on Wednesday to discuss ways to boost cooperation in trade and investment.

The talks also focused on a proposal of Hong Kong’s access to the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement to improve regional economic integration. The ASEAN Ministers welcomed the proposal but they agreed that Hong Kong’s access needs to be studied carefully.

At the 9^th consultation between the ASEAN Economic Ministers and their South Korean counterpart, both sides highlighted the importance of the ASEAN – South Korea Free Trade Agreement, including tax reduction on sensitive products in 2012. The Ministers discussed basic points involving the implementation of the agreement and urged relevant sides to promote the agreement.

The 15^th ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three (China, Japan, and South Korea) joint consultation, an event in the framework of the 44^th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting, concluded in Siem Reap on Wednesday afternoon. The discussions focused on the global economy and recent economic developments in ASEAN and partner countries. The Ministers expressed their confidence in regional economic integration and confirmed that trade relations between ASEAN and its three partners is flourishing despite the global economy’s instability.