2015: Doing business with the world

Editor's note: China will step up the pace of its free trade negotiations this year as it seeks to build stronger trade ties with more partners and reduce the dominance of the United States' currency in the global trading system.

Decisive measures needed to put China at the core of global activity

Trade experts say China needs another round of decisive measures to put its export growth on a firmer footing in 2015, amid declining demand in major foreign markets.

Zhou Shijian, the standing councilor of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies, said new measures should include pushing the Chinese currency to play a bigger role in foreign trade, developing new trading routes in neighboring regions, and encouraging more high-value added products onto the global market. Read more>> 

Free trade moves to gather pace

China will step up the pace of its free trade negotiations this year as it seeks to build stronger trade ties with more partners and reduce the dominance of the United States' currency in the global trading system.

Zhang Shaogang, director-general of the department of international trade and economic affairs at the Ministry of Commerce, said China will launch FTA negotiations with Israel and initiate FTA feasibility studies with Colombia, India, Nepal, Maldives and South Pacific island nations like Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea this year. Read more>>

Deals concluded or in progress (Source:Ministry of Commerce) 

Free trade agreements

China-ASEAN FTA; China-Pakistan FTA

China-Chile FTA

China-New Zealand FTA

China-Singapore FTA

China-Peru FTA

Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement

Mainland and Macao Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement

China-Costa Rica FTA

China-Iceland FTA

China-Switzerland FTA

China-India Regional Trade Arrangement Joint Feasibility Study

China-Columbia FTA Joint Feasibility Study

China-Israel FTA Joint Feasibility Study

China-Moldova FTA Joint Feasibility Study

China-Nigeria FTA Joint Feasibility Study

China-Nepal FTA Joint Feasibility Study

China-Maldives FTA Joint Feasibility Study

China-South Pacific island countries FTA Joint Feasibility Study

Concluded FTA negotiations

China-Australia FTA; China-South Korea FTA

FTAs under consideration

China-India Regional Trade Arrangement Joint Feasibility Study

China-Columbia FTA Joint Feasibility Study; China-Israel FTA Joint Feasibility Study

China-Moldova FTA Joint Feasibility Study; China-Nigeria FTA Joint Feasibility Study

China-Nepal FTA Joint Feasibility Study;China-Maldives FTA Joint Feasibility Study

China-South Pacific island countries FTA Joint Feasibility Study

Food companies find room to grow in Australia, NZ

Companies based in China are investing in Australia and New Zealand's agricultural sectors as they pursue a larger foothold in these lucrative markets through favorable policies offered by bilateral free trade agreements.

As China and Australia announced the practical conclusion of negotiations on an FTA in November, the new trade agreement has benefited Australia's agriculture and services industries in particular, as well as leading to growth in Chinese investment in the country. Read more>>