China is calling for members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) forum to focus on programmes for development and plans for tariff cuts and deregulation of trade.
Senior officials of the 18 members of Apec meeting in Cebu in the Philippines have been discussing their agendas for taking action on 15 key areas which individual action plans must address under proposals to create a free trade area early next century.
All have submitted individual action plans setting out their offers to cut tariffs and deregulate markets. Action on the fronts is regarded as vital to the long-term success of Apec.
However, officials and delegates admitted yesterday that there were wide discrepancies in the action plans brought to Cebu, although none have been officially published.
'There was a great variation in the level of detail,' said Edsel Custodio, head of the Philippines delegation.
The number of areas tackled by some countries is known to have been as low as three out of the 15, but Apec officials and delegates stressed this was the first stage in a process.
The gaps represented no threat to the success of the next major meeting of Apec leaders, in Manila and Subic Bay in November.