The China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) is, of course, not a zero-sum game. Responding to concerns over escalating competition associated with free trade, ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said in a press release issued at ASEAN"s official website on January 7 that CAFTA would help energize the economies of all parties by creating more opportunities for regional trade and investment. Edited excerpts follow: