The Japanese sponsored forum on cooperation in Asia-Pacific underlines the divergence over open skies in the region. The word 'liberalisation' was removed from the joint communique. Some nations, led by Singapore, New Zealand and South Korea, had pressed for 'gradual and orderly liberalisation'. Others, notably Japan and China, were reluctant to open markets multilaterally. The US was upset because it was not invited.
Source: Airline Business