16 Asia-Pacific nations begin 1st round of RCEP free trade talks
Sixteen Asia-Pacific nations including Japan and China held the first round of negotiations Thursday toward the creation of one of the world's largest free trade blocs.
During the five-day meeting through Monday in Brunei, the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and their six regional partners will discuss the scope and method of talks on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as they aim to conclude a deal by 2015.