Q: Recently, the Uruguayan government announced that it has completed a joint feasibility study on a free trade agreement with China and will start formal negotiations as soon as possible. Can the Ministry of Commerce confirm that? What is China's comment on the cooperation with Mercosur?
A: China attaches great importance to establishing free trade relations with Uruguay. Since China and Uzbekistan launched the joint feasibility study of the free trade agreement in September last year, the working teams of the two sides have cooperated closely and carried out relevant research work in a solid manner. At present, the joint feasibility study has been successfully completed. The two sides will continue to communicate actively to discuss the promotion of the next step of China-Uzbekistan free trade cooperation and further enhance the level of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
At the same time, we are open to discussing free trade agreements with other MERCOSUR members and as a whole. China is willing to further deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation with MERCOSUR countries by negotiating and signing free trade agreements and other means.