FVR pushes Asean-10 plus China Free Trade Area

Former President Fidel Ramos has proposed the creation of an Asian economic grouping that will pave the way for establishing an ASEAN-10 plus China Free Trade Area within five to 10 years.

Ramos made the proposal during the 35th Asian Development Bank (ADB) annual meeting seminar series held last week in Shanghai China, where he delivered the keynote address on the role of regional cooperation toward Asian economic integration.

The former president, who returned to Manila Friday night, said he called for intensified efforts to create a united Asia that will integrate the various divides of the region.

"The dominant presence of the US as the lone military superpower in the region, China’s massive potential as both market and supplier, and Japan’s continuing role as economic power must be balanced at every step in the building of an Asia-Pacific community on enduring peace, freedom and prosperity," he said.

As chair of the Boao Forum for Asia, the largest economic forum in China based in Beijing and Hainan, Ramos also pursued his commitment to attract investments, trade, tourism, technology transfer and other forms of economic cooperation beneficial to the Asia-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, who recently arrived from Bangkok for a conference of Asian travel agencies, said the Philippines should cash in on the large number of Chinese tourists that go to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

"China is a big potential source of tourists which can infuse new blood to shore up the country’s local tourism industry," Gordon said.

He said the Philippines has more to offer as a tourist destination than Singapore, Malaysia or Thailand.

"The only thing we need in government is to put our acts together," Gordon said.