Southeast Asian economic minis ters were in talks yesterday with counterparts from China. Japan and South Korea Io strengthen trade lies in the region.

The consultations followed a red eat by ministers from the Association ol Southeast Asian Nations (ASIAN) on Thursday during which they agreed to step up cl forts to expand free trade links with the three countries as well as with Australia and New Zealand.

ASI AN ministers said boosting trade lies with other economies outside Southeast Asia, as well as forging greater economic integration within ASI AN itself, were crucial to reducing risks from global developments such as the US-led economic slowdown.

"Wc realise that growth of economic links with out neighbours -

particularly in Northeast Asia - is vital lo our long-term growth and development.” said Thai ( om-merce Minister Adisai Bodharamik at a news briefing laic I hursday.

Aside from enhancing trade links, projects (hat would luithei boost cooperation are expected lo be discussed. Adisai said

Friday's meeting wit the ( hi nese. lapanrse and South Koreans comes under the ASEAN plus three dialogue process, which provides for regular talks between the countries' leaders as well as foreign, finance and trade ministers.

Chinese Minister lor I rade and Economic Cooperation Shi Guangsheng and South Korean Minister ol I oreign Affairs and Trade Hwang Doo-yun Hew in Thursday for the meeting al a luxury hotel near the world-famous Angkoi Wat temples.

Japan, where a new prime minister and cabinet have just been appointed, sent vice minister lor international affairs at the li nance ministry. I lidrhito Konno.

ASIAN groups economic backwateis ( ambodia, Eans, May-anmar and Vietnam with Brunei. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Domestic matters kept the ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines anil Vietnam busy at home, leaving only six ministers ol the 10-member ASIAN to at lend Cambodia's first hosting ol a ministerial meeting since admission to ASI AN two wars ago.

ASI AN said it has formed a working group to locus on how (o expand ir.nh links with its (Inee Northeast Asian neighbouis as will as with Australia and New Zealand.

The working group has already

met with officials from China lo stride the implications of Beijing's entrv into (he World Trade Or gahisation (VAT O) and explore the possibility ol an ASEAN-China I ree I Hide Area - a potential market ol 1.7 billion people.

Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji proposed the establishment of tin ASEAN-China free trade area during a summit of East Asian leaders in Singapore last November.

ASI AN is also discussing with Japan about (he formation ol a group of experts to study the setting up of a similar free trade ar-rangemcni with Tokyo, which is currently negotiating a free trade agreement with Singapore.

The working group is scheduled to meet with senior officials Irom Australia and New Zealand lo Tmanlisc plans for more open trade.