On September 22, Shu Jueting, spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, stated at a regular press conference that the Ministry of Commerce will make efforts from three aspects of "expansion, quality improvement, and efficiency increase" to promote the implementation of the free trade zone upgrading strategy and effectively connect The two resources of domestic and international markets provide institutional guarantees for a higher level of opening up to the outside world and serve to build a new development pattern.
Shu Jueting introduced that over the past 20 years since my country's accession to the WTO, China's free trade "circle of friends" has continued to expand, the content of free trade agreements has become increasingly rich, and the level has been continuously improved. initial formation. Up to now, my country has signed 19 free trade agreements with 26 countries and regions, and the free trade partners cover Asia, Oceania, Latin America, Europe and Africa. The trade volume between my country and free trade partners accounts for about 35% of the total foreign trade.
Regarding the specific measures for the next step, Shu Jueting said that the first is to further expand the scope. Actively promote the process of joining the "Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement" (CPTPP), conduct consultations with member countries of the agreement, and maintain close communication; comprehensively promote accession to the "Digital Economic Partnership Agreement" (DEPA), and strive to formally join as soon as possible; continue Promote the negotiation of free trade agreements with the GCC, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Israel, Norway, China, Japan and South Korea, and the upgrade process of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, and negotiate and sign free trade agreements with more willing trading partners to jointly Promote regional economic integration and trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.
The second is to further improve the level. Further increase the zero-tariff ratio of trade in goods, relax service trade and investment market access, actively participate in negotiations on new rules and issues such as digital economy and environmental protection, and promote the construction of a new higher-level open economic system.
The third is to further enhance the effectiveness. Taking the opportunity of the "Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement" (RCEP) to take effect, increase the promotion, promotion and training of free trade agreements, improve the comprehensive utilization rate of free trade agreements, and let the agreement benefit enterprises and people better and faster.