Japan, China and South Korea have begun their second round of talks on a trilateral free trade agreement.
The talks that began in Shanghai on Tuesday follow the first round of negotiations in Seoul in March of this year.
Japan is being represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Yasumasa Nagamine.
Chinese Deputy International Trade Representative Yu Jianhua expressed hope for a quick conclusion of the agreement. He indicated China's willingness to have an economic partnership with Japan and South Korea despite soured political relations with Japan.
The latest round of talks will focus on lowering tariffs for agricultural and industrial products.
Participants will also discuss to what extent foreign-made parts and materials should be included in a country's products.
The 3 countries are also holding separate negotiations on liberalizing investment.
Japan is expected to demand that its companies be able to do business in China under the same conditions as China's state-owned firms.
China made concessions on similar US demands earlier this month.

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This news was published on July 30, 2013.

Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20130730_30.html

Source of picture: http://www.koreaittimes.com/images/imagecache/medium/japan-china-south-korea-flag.jpg