China, Japan, ROK to launch FTA talks this year

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Sunday that China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) agreed to launch the talks for a free trade area (FTA) within this year.

Wen made the remarks at a press briefing after a trilateral leaders' meeting which was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and ROK President Lee Myung-bak.

Wen said the three nations also clinched a deal during the meeting to promote, facilitate and protect investment, which will serve as the first important legal document on trilateral cooperation in economic field.