The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) is looking at greater economic integration with China through a free trade area, according to the Asean secretariat.
In a statement to the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) trade ministers meeting in Shanghai, the secretariat said its working group on regional integration had been discussing the enhancement of economic co-operation between the organisation and the mainland with Chinese officials.
It had also studied the possibility of establishing an Asean-China free trade area, the Asean statement said.
The Asean free trade area was established in 1993 to promote trade among members through preferential tariffs.
Asean told the Apec trade ministers that the association realised that the growth of economic links with its neighbours was vital to the region's long-term growth and development.
The aim of co-operation with China was to pursue greater economic integration, the secretariat said.
The 21-member Apec trade ministers' meeting, which began on Wednesday and ended yesterday, called for a free, open, multilateral trade and investment system among members.