By LIU ZHIHUA China Daily Updated: 2022-03-02

Country ready to sign more FTAs, boost global ties in digital economy

China will proactively align with high-level international economic and trade rules, to further deepen reform and expand institutional opening-up, according to senior commerce officials on Tuesday.

To that end, the country has been communicating and negotiating with the members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement.

Wang Wentao, the country's commerce minister, told a news briefing in Beijing that China is willing to negotiate and sign free trade agreements with more economies and countries.

China's official applications to join the CPTPP and the DEPA last year have demonstrated the nation's determination to deepen reforms and expand opening-up, while also showing its sincere willingness to strengthen cooperation in international digital economy, and promote innovation and sustainable development, he said.

An FTA covering 11 Asia-Pacific economies that took effect at the end of 2018, the CPTPP is widely considered to have the highest standards for trade rules and market access.

The DEPA is a new type of trade partnership agreement on digital trade signed in 2020 by New Zealand, Chile and Singapore.

Vice-Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen said at the briefing that the country is willing to fully meet the high standards of CPTPP through active efforts.