China has signed 23 free trade agreements (FTAs) with 30 countries and regions so far, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Thursday.
The China-Maldives FTA took effect on Jan 1, with over 95 percent of products traded between the two countries now exempt from tariffs, MOC spokesman He Yadong said at a press conference in Beijing.
In terms of service trade, both sides have agreed to further open their service sectors. On investment, the two countries have granted each other national treatment and mutually committed to protecting two-way investments, according to the spokesman.
Additionally, the upgraded protocol of the China-Singapore FTA came into effect on Dec 31 last year. Both parties have committed to opening their manufacturing markets and expanding cooperation in emerging sectors such as the digital economy, He added.
"To date, China has signed 23 FTAs with 30 countries and regions across all five continents. The network of free trade agreements is continually expanding and deepening, with their scope and quality constantly enhanced. New areas, such as service trade, investment negative lists, standards cooperation, and the digital economy, have now become standard components of China's recently signed FTAs," said He.
Next, China will further expand its high-standard free trade network globally, and focus on effectively implementing existing agreements to deliver greater benefits to the people of China and its FTA partners, according to He.
China's FTA partners reach 30: spokesman
