The Ministry of Commerce announced that China and Iceland began
FTA talks in Beijing yesterday.??
During this round, representatives from both sides will discuss
trade in goods, services as well as other sectors, revealed Wang
Xinpei, spokesman for the ministry. "The first round of talks
should bring about some good results through strong joint
efforts."
Wang revealed that the ministry sees the FTA as potentially
giving a major impetus in terms of bilateral economic and trade
relations.
Gunnar Snorri Gunnarsson, ambassador of Iceland to China,
earlier said that the agreement would be comprehensive, catering to
trade, services and investment.
After Iceland became the first European country to grant China
market economy status, bilateral trade has enjoyed a brisk pace,
with Chinese exports to Iceland reaching US$77.67 million last
year, and imports from the Northern European country standing at
US$39.99 million.
Turning to the FTA signed earlier this month between the United
States and South Korea, Wang welcomed it as beneficial to the
economic development of the Asian continent ad the whole world. He
added that China is also striving to put forward an FTA plan
with South Korea as soon as possible. ?
(China Daily April 12, 2007)