Economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region should be advanced in a step-by-step manner, said a spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry here on Thursday.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to reports saying Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is expected to announce that he intends for Japan to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

"China is open-minded about cooperation initiatives that are conducive to regional economic integration and common development," Hong said.

Differences and diversity among Asian economies should be fully taken into account while pushing forward Asia-Pacific regional economic integration, Hong added.

Later Thursday afternoon, Noda said he would postpone announcing his decision on whether to join the TPP negotiations until Friday, instead of Thursday, as originally scheduled, according to Japan's Kyodo News.

The TPP, an Asia-Pacific regional trade agreement, is being negotiated among the United States and eight other partners -- Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

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