Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng who led the delegation to participate in the series of East Asian Trade and Economic Ministers’ Meeting in the capital of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur attended the 3rd RCEP Ministerial Conference on the afternoon of August 24, emphasizing that efforts should be made to substantially complete the negotiations by the end of 2015.
Gao pointed out that 3 years ago, the leaders of 16 countries jointly announced the launching of the RCEP negotiations, marking the opening of the construction of the largest-scale free trade area in Asia. RCEP is a free trade agreement among 6 free trade partners of 10 ASEAN countries, covering more than half of the world population. The trade and economic scale covers 30% of the globe and the RCEP contains China and India which have the largest population in the world. Among the participants, the per capita GDP of some countries is less than US$1,000, but that of some other countries exceeds US$50,000. In all kinds of free trade agreements, the RCEP has the largest complexity and differences. As a free trade agreement with countries having different development stage, cultural background and population scale, if the RCEP reaches agreements, it will become an important historic event, contributing to building a peaceful, safe and developing Asia Pacific and exerting great influence on the region and the whole world.
Gao Hucheng emphasized that at present, the growth of the world economy is weak and the international trade and the cross-border investment are low. Therefore, reaching the RCEP agreement as early as possible will inject new power to the trade and investment growth of relevant countries and will push forward the integrative development of the regional economy. Its influence on politics and economy cannot be matched by any free trade agreements. China is the sturdy supporter and pusher of the RCEP. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have pointed out many times that China is willing to work with the other negotiators to make best efforts to complete the negotiations within 2015. They hope that all parties can actively promote accelerating the process of the negotiations and fully show their decision and confidence in promoting the regional economic integration.
Gao proposed three suggestions for the representatives of all countries during the meeting. Firstly, efforts should be made to substantially complete the negotiations by the end of 2015. China suggests that all parties should show enough political courage and resolution to substantially complete the negotiation by the end of the year and regard it as the achievement of the East Asian leadership summit. Secondly, efforts should be made to stick to the principle of containment, cooperation and being pragmatic. When pursuing a high-level and high-quality free trade agreement, all parties should adhere to the progressive principle to create a free trade agreement conforming to the local practical situation in creative, flexible and multiple ways and taking the different development level of all countries into consideration. Thirdly, efforts should be made to fully respect the core status of the ASEAN. China will support the ASEAN to play a leading and coordinative role in the negotiations as always and all parties should promote the negotiations and jointly work together to reach a modern, comprehensive, high-quality and win-win free trade agreement on the basis of the free trade agreement signed by the ASEAN and free trade partner countries.
Attending are: the 10 ASEAN countries, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the head of the Indian Trade and Economic Department and the Secretary-General of the ASEAN. The Vice-Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen also participated in the meeting.
