Nikkei:

What progress has there been since China applied to join the CPTPP last September? Some member countries believe that China needs to solve many problems, including issues related to state-owned enterprises, electronic data, and government procurement, in order to join the CPTPP. Could you introduce the specifics as to how the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) negotiates those problems with the CPTPP members? Thank you. 

Wang Shouwen:

Thank you for your questions. China formally applied to join the CPTPP last September, which has drawn great attention from the international community and given rise to positive repercussions in China and abroad. We all believe that China's application for joining the CPTPP is an important opening-up measure in the new era. Before formally applying to join the CPTPP, we conducted full, comprehensive, and in-depth analysis, research, and evaluation of the CPTPP clauses. Based on CPTPP regulations, we sorted out our laws, regulations and reform measures that need to be improved or modified. At present, we are communicating and negotiating with the relevant members in accordance with CPTPP accession procedures.

It is acknowledged that the CPTPP is a high-standard international economic and trade agreement. What I want to point out, in particular, is that the high standard is in line with China's path to deepen reform and expand opening-up. We are also willing to attain the standard of the CPTPP in all respects through actively deepening reform and expanding opening-up. Mr. Wang just mentioned that China has signed many free trade agreements. To join the CPTPP, the efforts to relax market access will be stronger than the existing agreements and practices we have made before. The efforts are conducive to continuing the opening-up and deepening reform and to the high-quality development. At the same time, it will be helpful for the 11 member states of the CPTPP to expand further their market access to the second-largest economy in the world and promote their cooperation with China in goods and services trade, investment, and other sectors.

You mentioned that there are problems. Indeed, the CPTPP covers many sectors, and some of the articles are more complicated and sensitive. However, we believe that the CPTPP is in line with China's general direction of opening-up and reform. For example, the CPTPP rules require state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to compete fairly with other types of companies, which is the core requirement concerning SOEs. This is also in line with the direction of the market-oriented reform of SOEs we pushed for. As independent market entities, SOEs in China operate their business on a commercial basis. They compete fairly with private enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises. And their operations are in line with the market-oriented and law-based principles. Therefore, China is now qualified to fulfill its duties concerning the requirements for SOEs.

You also mentioned the rules and regulations on e-commerce. Pertinent regulations and rules on e-commerce within the CPTPP are quite strict, which are in line with China's efforts in recent years, such as participating in international cooperation on the digital economy, and continuing to optimize the digital business environment. In recent years, it is known that China has adopted three laws: the Data Security Law, the Cybersecurity Law, and the Personal Information Protection Law. Currently, related departments are mulling over supporting rules and regulations, or implementation guidelines, that are related to the three laws. In addition to working on the supporting rules and regulations, we will also consider the standards of the CPTPP, working to meet the requirements of it. Therefore, in terms of all the issues and articles of CPTPP, we are preparing to discuss and negotiate with related member states in detail. President Xi Jinping announced that China would work actively for joining the CPTPP. We are willing to make concert efforts with all parties to further regional trade and economic integration and contribute to regional economic development and global economic recovery. Thank you.