Market News International:

In 2024, does the Ministry of Commerce expect any progress in China's application to join the CPTPP? And what new measures will the Ministry of Commerce take this year to support China's application? Thank you. 

Wang Shouwen:

Thank you for your questions. We highly value China's application for CPTPP and have organized relevant departments and industries to carry out full, encompassing, and deep evaluations on all terms within CPTPP. We have also conducted comprehensive, in-depth, and abundant research on CPTPP's rules with regard to trade in goods and services and investment. We conclude that we are confident and able to meet CPTPP's high standards. Therefore, last year we prepared a document for the application, making introduction and interpretation on matters involving all obligations of the CPTPP from our position. We have presented the document to all CPTPP member countries.

You asked about our measures this year. First, we will proceed to conduct in-depth communication with CPTPP member countries at all levels, including in-depth communication in multilateral international conferences like G20 and APEC. Second, in 2023, following the decisions and deployment of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules, including those within CPTPP, we have released two important documents, including measures on promoting institutional opening-up in eligible pilot free trade zones and the free trade port in line with high-standard international economic and trade rules and an overall plan for promoting the high-standard institutional opening-up of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in line with high-standard international economic and trade rules . Emphasizing these high international standards, we have formulated measures for domestic institutional opening-up for practices in China. If effective, we will replicate and apply these practices elsewhere. Therefore, we will enhance international communication and advance domestic pilot practices. I believe our conditions for joining CPTPP will be right this year.