'Belt and Road' plan 'set to spur FTA talks'
Updated: 2015-04-28 05:59
By CHEN JIA(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
Former vice-commerce minister Wei Jianguo |
"FTA negotiations with three countries from Asia and Europe that are involved in the initiative are reaching the final stage, and we may see the results this year," said Wei Jianguo.
Wei, vice-chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, a government think tank, spoke to China Daily in an exclusive interview.
He did not name the countries, but a Ministry of Commerce official confirmed earlier that China is working to set goals for free trade agreement negotiations along the "Belt and Road" routes.
China has proposed the "Belt and Road" initiative, which refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road that are aimed at promoting economic and cultural exchanges with neighboring countries.
Experts say that free trade agreement negotiations with Sri Lanka and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council may achieve significant breakthroughs this year.
China is looking to form 20 free trade agreements, with 12 of them already signed and implemented, according to the Commerce Ministry.
The central government says that countries along the land and sea routes in the "Belt and Road" initiative account for 63 percent of the world's population and 29 percent of global GDP. Trade between these countries and China reached more than $1 trillion last year, 26 percent of China's total trade value.
John Zhu, an economist at HSBC, wrote in a report, "It is clear that boosting domestic and international trade flows is a high priority for the 'Belt and Road' initiative."
China's commitment to globalization remains strong, Zhu wrote, adding that the government recognizes that many domestic regions have yet to fully leverage their advantages.
An action plan for the "Belt and Road" initiative specifies key roles for 18 provinces, but Ou Xiaoli, an official with the State Council's working group on the initiative, confirmed that no province will be excluded.
Wei also said that all provinces must ensure that local policies are in line with the national action plan.
"It will be a good opportunity to boost competitive industries in different provinces, which also requires accelerating innovation to drive domestic industrial upgrading," Wei said.
According to official statements, local governments are working on development plans to match the overall road map for the initiative, with Guangdong province expected to be the first to announce its policies soon.
- International rescue teams head to quake-hit Nepal
- World's deadliest earthquakes since 1900s
- Rescuers deliver relief supplies on foot
- China brings trapped nationals home from quake-hit Nepal
- Severe drought hits Southwest China
- History razed in Nepal earthquake
- 'Chi-pao teachers' found in Guangdong
- Tourists evacuated from Nepal quake area arrive in Kunming
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Spring Festival trends reflect a changing China |
Patent applications lead the world |
BC lures Chinese tourists |
Today's Top News
Chinese, Koreans seek Japan apology
China rescue team starts work
Three US citizens among dead in avalanche after Nepal quake
Chinese rally across US to support NYC police officer under indictment
New publication will focus on China's energy industry
Abe's US trip: sense or sensibility?
China to overtake US in mobile gaming market
Nearly 2,500 confirmed dead in Nepal quake
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |