The China-Japan-ROK FTA negotiation, which started in November 2011, has gone through 16 rounds. In the joint declaration of the ninth Trilateral Summit Meeting among China, Japan and the ROK concluded on May 27, the three sides affirmed the importance of ensuring implementation in a transparent, smooth and effective manner of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement as the basis of a Trilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and would keep discussions for speeding up negotiations for a Trilateral FTA, aiming at realizing a free, fair, comprehensive, high-quality, and mutually beneficial FTA with its own value. The important consensus arising from this summit meeting charts the course for accelerating China-Japan-ROK FTA negotiations in the next step.

China, Japan and the ROK share close industrial linkages and strong economic complementarity. The China-Japan-ROK FTA, once concluded, will build on top of existing FTA cooperation and further expand market openness, lower trade barriers, promote trade and investment, and improve business environments among the three countries, delivering real benefits for Chinese, Japanese and ROK people and businesses.

China attaches great significance to the China-Japan-ROK FTA negotiation. It stands ready to work with Japan and the ROK to move forward the negotiation process at a faster pace, and make positive contribution to stability and recovery of regional and global economy. Thank you.