We considered a study by the ASEAN-China Expert Group, set up in response to the suggestion by Premier Zhu at our meeting in Singapore last year. We endorsed the proposal for a Framework on Economic Cooperation and to establish an ASEAN-China Free Trade Area within 10 years with special and differential treatment and flexibility to the newer ASEAN members. The agreement should also provide for an "early harvest" in which the lists of products and services will be determined by mutual consultation. With a combined market of 1.7 billion people, a free trade area between ASEAN and China would have gross domestic product of $2 trillion and two-way trade of $1.23 trillion. We agreed to instruct our ministers and senior officials to start negotiations with a view to conclude the agreement as soon as possible.