Xi calls for early signing of China-Gulf FTA

Free trade negotiation includes oil, development of modern Silk Road

President Xi Jinping called for the early signing of a free trade agreement on Friday between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which in 2013 accounted for 70 percent of the trade volume between China and the Arab League.

"Negotiations on the China-GCC free trade agreement have been in the works for a decade. Both sides have done extensive planning for the agreement," Xi said during a GCC delegation meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.