The arrest comes just a week after Tokyo and Washington agreed to measures aimed at preventing crimes by US service members on the island after a murder allegedly involving an American Marine triggered outrage.

The deal will drop over 90 per cent of tariff lines and cover areas ranging from agriculture to aerospace to artificial intelligence, and is about six months away from being signed, says Canada's prime minister.

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said the pact took several years to negotiate and reflects the diverse state of readiness among member countries.

China's commerce ministry did not say whether any agreements were reached, only that both sides will continue using the council to address trade concerns, expand cooperation and reduce outstanding issues.

"We should neither have an unfounded fear of China's rise nor underestimate its capabilities and potential," South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said, a day after meeting with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing.