At an NDRC briefing on Nov. 11, MOFCOM official Song Lihong said over the 15th
Five-Year Plan period the ministry will work with Belt and Road partner
countries to refine international trade rules and expand China’s global FTA
network. China has signed 19 FTAs with 25 Belt and Road partners to date. Next
steps include pushing negotiation and signing of economic partnership agreements
with African countries that maintain diplomatic ties with China; seeking prompt
entry into force of the China–ASEAN FTA 3.0 and the China–Georgia FTA upgrade
protocol; accelerating FTA talks or upgrades with Central Asian and Pacific
partners; driving RCEP enlargement and upgrades toward positive results; and
coordinating new-rule development in digital/intelligent economy and green
growth.
