Xi: China wants to sign more trade agreements, deepen cooperation

摘要

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said China wants to negotiate and sign more free trade agreements as it aims to conclude talks with the European Union, Japan and South Korea and conclude Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership negotiations. Xi did not say which countries China might approach for talks on new deals and did not mention a possible phasetwo deal with the U.S. or interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. China and the U.S. suggested phase-two negotiations would follow an initial deal but have made no movement since as tensions have risen. Beijing has shown some interest in joining CPTPP, though its sincerity has been in doubt. Beijing, meanwhile, is negotiating a bilateral investment treaty with the EU, a trilateral trade agreement with Korea and Japan and RCEP with 14 other Asia-Pacific countries.