People's Daily Online -- China-ASEAN co-op enjoys bright prospect: experts

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UPDATED: 06:45, November 27, 2005
China-ASEAN co-op enjoys bright prospect: experts



The high-speed growth of Chinese economy will provide solid foundation for the further development of China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) economic and trade cooperation, said Yuan Xucheng, editor-in-chief of the Beijing-based magazine Reform.

Yuan made the remark here Saturday at the China-ASEAN Finance and Economics Forum. The two sides enjoy bright prospect in construction of Free Trade Area (FTA), he said, quoting figures assaying that the FTA will increase ASEAN's export to China by about48 percent, and China's export to ASEAN by 55 percent.

On July 1, 2005, the two sides started their tariff reduction process according to their FTA agreement. By 2010, the tariff level between them will be lowered to 0 to 5 percent.

The abolishment of trade barriers, simplification of trade process, acceleration of cargo flows and tariff reduction will surely reduce transactional cost and promote economic growth, he said.

The all-round development of China-ASEAN economic cooperation not only depends on further opening-up of ASEAN countries, but also on China's sustained economic growth and successful transition of its economic structure, he said.

The economy of China and ASEAN countries is fully supplementary, and in recent years, the two sides, in their FTA framework, have boosted their cooperation in trade, investment, finance, agriculture, tourism, transportation, energy, science, technology, education and human resources, said Xu Ningning, deputy secretary-general of the China-ASEAN Business Council.

Regional economic integration is changing the global economic and trade structure, Xu said. The recent rapid development of East Asian economic integration is closely related to the FTA construction by China and the ASEAN, he said.

The China-ASEAN FTA process, an important part of the East Asian economic integration, also pushes forward the East Asian economic integration forcefully, he said.

Source: Xinhua

People's Daily Online -- China-ASEAN co-op enjoys bright prospect: experts

China and Chile Sign Free - Trade Agreement - New York Times

China and Chile Sign Free - Trade Agreement - New York Times

November 18, 2005
China and Chile Sign Free - Trade Agreement
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 1:00 a.m. ET

BUSAN, South Korea (AP) -- China and Chile signed a free-trade agreement Friday, the first between China and a Latin American country.

Chilean Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker and his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing signed the pact on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Busan, South Korea. Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chilean President Ricardo Lagos witnessed the signing.

No details of the agreement were immediately released, but it was quickly welcomed by business leaders. Chilean officials have said it is the first free-trade agreement between China and a Latin American country.

''The free-trade agreement is a historic step for free trade -- important for China, important for Chile, important for Latin America,'' Mauro Mazzacurati, the president of delivery company DHL's operation in Chile, told The Associated Press.

Earlier Friday, Lagos extolled the benefits of bilateral free-trade agreements in a speech to business executives at the APEC forum, which aims to achieve free trade between its 21 member economies by 2020.

Lagos said the ultimate goal should be a strong multilateral trading system based on the World Trade Organization.

Disputes over agriculture and other issues have soured hopes of advancing trade liberalization goals at the WTO's ministerial meeting in Hong Kong next month. Recent talks in Europe have failed to resolve the disputes.

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CNN.com - Spicy China-S. Korea?trade dispute - Nov 13, 2005

CNN.com - Spicy China-S. Korea?trade dispute - Nov 13, 2005Spicy China-S. Korea trade dispute
Kimchi parasite scare feeds pungent war of words

SEOUL, South Korea (Reuters) -- Take a cabbage. Pack it in a large clay pot with garlic, ginger, fish sauce and fiery red peppers. Add some other goodies and let it ferment.

What do you get? The pungent Korean dish called kimchi -- and a scare about parasite eggs that has ignited a trade dispute between two of Asia's largest economies.

Kimchi is served at almost every meal and made in most homes. But increasing imports of the spicy cabbage from China have raised a ruckus about a foreign country eating away at the market for a national dish that is at the essence of Korean identity.

Last month, the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) banned the sale of kimchi imported from China because samples contained parasites' eggs that likely came from the use of human feces as fertilizer in Chinese agricultural production, it said.

The KFDA then added more spice to the trade pickle earlier this month, releasing a report saying parasite eggs had also been found in 3.2 percent of South Korean-made kimchi.

"I'm really worried about the state of kimchi these days," said Yoon Ji-sun, a graduate student who went on a tour of a kimchi factory in order to get tips on pickling her own at home.

"We cannot trust anyone but ourselves when it comes to kimchi," she said by telephone.

Kimchi science
Some of the South Korean kimchi producers cited as having a tainted product have sent kimchi to markets such as Japan -- and even supplied South Korea's presidential Blue House, the KFDA said.

Typically, the science of kimchi has been less about findings in the lab and more about claims such as warding of the SARS virus and preventing cancer.

One Seoul pharmacist said consumers are worried.

"We have sold five times the amount of anti-parasite medicine in recent days than we normally do, said Yoo Ha-na.

Demand for kimchi had not dropped over fears about Chinese imports, South Korean officials said. But they are not sure what will happen after the revelation the domestic product may also be tainted.

According to the Korean Food Research Institute, the average South Korean each year consumes about 75 pounds of kimchi, which is mostly made with cabbage, though a variety of vegetables can also be used.

The kimchi worries started in September with a report that Chinese-made kimchi had a higher lead content than South Korean-made kimchi. Scientists later said the content did not present a significant health hazard.

China complained about the lead-content report and when South Korea banned the import of Chinese-made kimchi last month, Beijing slapped import bans on several South Korean food products.

In 2004, China became South Korea's leading trading partner, with two-way trade totaling $79.35 billion, up 39.2 percent from the year before, South Korea's trade ministry said.

This year's imports of kimchi from China to Oct. 20 reached 94,128 tons, up by about 30 percent from the same period last year. The 2005 imports had a value of about $40 million, South Korea's food administration said.

Although the dispute will not be on the menu of official talks at an Asia-Pacific summit in Pusan, South Korea, later this month, kimchi could make its way into informal chats among the leaders, foreign ministers and business leaders -- and is almost certain to be served during official functions.

The foreign ministers of China and South Korea have said they want to avoid a trade war over the kimchi spat.

Five years ago, South Korea imposed a 10-fold increase in tariffs on Chinese garlic partly over health concerns, partly to protect its farmers. China retaliated with restrictions on Korean mobile phone imports.

Miracle food
Over the years, kimchi has been billed as a miracle food with an amazing, and perhaps exaggerated, array of health benefits.

Kimchi cuts cholesterol, prevents obesity, diabetes and stomach cancer, constipation and colon cancer, and to top it off, keeps a person young and their skin healthy, according to the Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corp.

Most of these claims, however, have not been supported through extensive scientific testing.

Kang Sa-ouk, a professor at South Korea's prestigious Seoul National University, is testing to see if an extract from kimchi can be used as an additive for chicken feed to prevent bird flu.

"The feed has been shown to help improve the fight against bird flu or other types of flu viruses," said Kang.

Another scientist, who specializes in kimchi, said that even though claims such as cancer prevention have not been proven through substantial study, the food staple does help health.

"There are a lot of ingredients in kimchi, as well as microbes produced during the fermentation process that help a person's immune systems and circulation," said Lee Myung-ki, a senior researcher at the Korea Food Research Institute who leads its kimchi task force.

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CNN.com - Seoul grants China market status - Nov 16, 2005

CNN.com - Seoul grants China market status - Nov 16, 2005Seoul grants China market status

SEOUL, South Korea (Reuters) -- President Roh Moo-hyun said on Wednesday that South Korea had granted Beijing market economy status, a landmark move that will give China greater protection from anti-dumping duties on exports.

Roh was speaking during Hu's two-day state visit to Seoul, the first by a Chinese president since former President Jiang Zemin made a state visit in 1995.

"On the occasion of President Hu's visit, I officially conveyed our government's decision to recognize China's position as a market economy status. Through this, I expect South Korea-China relations to develop a step higher," Roh told a joint news conference with Hu.

South Korea's decision to open up to China now was another piece of evidence of the warm ties between the two countries, enemies up until the early 1990s after China fought on the side of the North in the 1950-53 Korean War.

Under the terms of China's 2001 accession to the World Trade Organization, members of the trade body can treat China as a "non-market economy" until 2016.

China became South Korea's largest trading partner last year, with two-way trade totalling $79.35 billion, up 39.2 percent from the year before, according to South Korean government figures.

North Korea talks
The two leaders also issued a joint statement in which they urged everyone involved in negotiations to end North Korea's nuclear programs to show flexibility.

The leaders of all countries in the negotiations except North Korea -- China, the United States, Japan, South Korea and Russia -- will be in the southern port city of Pusan for a summit of the 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

"Both sides shared the view that each of the parties must continue to show flexibility with sincerity and should implement the (agreement) and continue to make progress in the process," the joint statement said.

The six agreed at talks in September that North Korea would dismantle its nuclear weapons in return for economic and energy aid and better ties with Washington and Tokyo.

Argentina and Brazil have both recognised China, now one of the world's top trading nations, as a market economy last year but the European Union said this month that it was not yet in a position to give a target date for awarding the label.

Treating China like a non-market economy allows trading partners to use production costs in third countries to evaluate whether Chinese imports are "dumped," or unfairly priced.

Beijing says this means it receives higher anti-dumping duties than if Chinese costs were used in the evaluation.

"Both sides are happy to see that trade between the two countries will reach $100 billion in 2005, three years ahead of goal, and agreed to continue efforts to accomplish $200 billion in bilateral trade by 2012 on the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties," the statement said.

Diplomatic ties between the South and China began in 1992.

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CNN.com - Bilateral deals all the rage at APEC - Nov 18, 2005

CNN.com - Bilateral deals all the rage at APEC - Nov 18, 2005Bilateral deals all the rage at APEC
BUSAN, South Korea (AP) -- As world leaders gathered Friday for their annual talks on building a free trade zone that circles the Pacific, they were also spending time in sideline huddles forging one-on-one agreements.

That is because the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum's free-trade goals may be a fine idea, but it is often speedier to work out bilateral deals, officials say.

"We're not going to shy away from those," said Andre Lemay, spokesman for Canada's APEC delegation. "Dealing one-on-one, it's much simpler."

A meeting on APEC sidelines between Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and his Japanese counterpart Junichiro Koizumi set for Saturday afternoon is expected to take to another level talks that began in January to hammer out a framework for boosting trade and investment between the two nations.

Such talks often precede official free trade negotiations.

Year after year, APEC meetings -- including this year's -- have reaffirmed the larger vision for a regional free trade union.

APEC's 21 members, which make up 60 percent of the world's economy, have the goal of setting up a free trade zone by 2010 for industrialized nations, and developing ones by 2020.

Each year at their summit, leaders reaffirm their commitment to the goal and endorse a raft of "action plans" and "peer reviews" monitoring progress toward it.

But some analysts and business executives who take part in APEC meetings worry that progress it too slow.

In the meantime, the two-nation free trade agreements, or FTAs, keep on coming.

"FTAs are all the rage. They're in," said Keiichiro Kobayashi, an economics expert at the Research Institute of Economy Trade and Industry in Tokyo.

Kobayashi warned the appeal of multilateral agreements could be dimmed by sprouting two-way accords, although the global economy is likely to benefit more from all-encompassing agreements in the long run.

Some nations are even worried about getting left behind if they don't get bilateral arrangements, he said.

During the leaders' meeting Friday, nearly all the participants made statements welcoming free trade agreements, which encouraged economic ties among Asian nations, Japanese Foreign Ministry Deputy Director-General Satoru Satoh said.

On Friday, China and Chile signed a bilateral free trade accord, China's first with a Latin American country.

South Korea agreed to strengthen economic cooperation with Peru, and later Panama, this week on the sidelines of APEC.

During his APEC visit, Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo said his nation was finishing negotiating free trade agreements with the United States, Thailand, Singapore and Chile, and had started talks with China.

The rush of such deals prompted Jae-hyun Hyun, head of APEC's Business Advisory Council, composed of business people from each of the 21 member economies, to urge leaders to get serious about global trade discussions and pointed to the spread of bilateral pacts as a reflection of stalled wider talks.

Roberto R. Romulo, chairman of the Philam Insurance Co. Inc. and a member of the ABAC, said FTAs went against the principle of the World Trade Organization, which has been faltering in trying to reach a global trade accord.

"We believe in the long term there has to be a common template," he said.

Lemay, the Canadian delegate, said efforts to achieve wider trade rules were still important in offering "a level playing field" for participants.

"Both have their place," he said.

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FTA To Strengthen M'sia-China Trade :: Bernama.com

FTA To Strengthen M'sia-China Trade :: Bernama.comFTA To Strengthen M'sia-China Trade

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's ties with the economic powerhouse of China are set to strengthen further with the implementation of the Asean-China Free Trade Area (FTA), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday.

"The Asean-China FTA will set the stage for deeper economic relations," he said in his keynote address at the Malaysia-China Business Forum 2005 here.

"If and when the tariff and non-tariff barriers are brought down under the existing Asean-China FTA, the trade relations between Malaysia and China are poised for even more dynamic growth," he said.

The initial common tariff deduction of Asean-China FTA is to be completed by 2006 while a full free trade area would be completed by 2013.

The Prime Minister said "trade has been and will continue to be a key driver in strengthening relations between the two countries."

Abdullah hopes that Malaysia-China trade would expand in many areas, over and above the robust increase seen recently.

As such, he urged Malaysian companies to start assessing their own operations and look at areas they could gain from China's economic boom.

To compete effectively with others who are also taking advantage of China's economic growth, he said Malaysian companies must meet China's needs, demands and constraints and at the same time "offering value-for-money propositions."

"Awareness and understanding must be updated consistently and continuously over time as things neutrally change very quickly in China," he added.

Abdullah gave the assurance that bilateral relations between Malaysia and China would remain strong in many years to come and believed that the two economies would continue to cooperate in all areas.

-- BERNAMA

Xinhua - English

Xinhua - English
Premier Wen meets Cambodian king

www.chinaview.cn 2005-08-11 22:49:05


BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhuanet) --Premier Wen Jiabao met with King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni here Wednesday.


Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, August 10, 2005. (Xinhua Photo)
Wen said the China-Cambodia friendship is fostered through efforts of generations of leaders from the two countries and has endured the test of international changes over the past years.

"The two sides have always actively developed friendly relations as good neighbors and achieved a series of substantial results in bilateral cooperation on the basis of peaceful coexistence, which benefits China, Cambodia and our two peoples," Wen said.

Wen stressed that the Chinese government attaches great importance on its good-neighborly friendship with Cambodia and values its special friendship with the Cambodian royal family.

"China is willing to join hands with Cambodia to step up mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas in a bid to bring bilateral relations to a new level," he said.

The China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) relationship has seen rapid development in recent years and China cherishes that very much, Wen said.

"We hope to see a united and strong ASEAN. We hope to make joint efforts with all ASEAN member states to promote regional cooperation and contribute to regional peace and prosperity."

Sihamoni said the leaders and peoples from the two countries have established profound friendship over the past years. His visit to China is aimed at carrying the traditional friendly relations into the future.

Sihamoni expressed the Cambodian people's appreciation for the great achievements gained by the Chinese people and are grateful for China's sincere support and help to them throughout the decades.

He said the current friendly exchanges and cooperation are down-to-earth, mutually beneficial and inspiring.

The Cambodian royal family, parliament, government and people will continue to consolidate the traditional friendship between Cambodia and China and to deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all aspects.

He reiterated Cambodian's firm adherence to the one-China policy and objection to so-called "Taiwan Independence" in any form.

This is Sihamoni's first state visit to China since he took the throne last October. Enditem

People's Daily Online -- Full text of China-Indonesia joint statement

People's Daily Online -- Full text of China-Indonesia joint statement

Home >> China
UPDATED: 09:20, July 30, 2005
Full text of China-Indonesia joint statement



China and Indonesia issued a joint statement during Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's ongoing state visit to China. The following is the full text of the document:

1.At the invitation of the President of the People's Republic of China H.E. Mr. Hu Jintao, The President of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono paid a state visit to China on 27-30 July 2005. The visit followed President Hu's state visit to Indonesia on 25-26 April 2005 and marked an important milestone in the fifty-five years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

2.The Government, leaders and people of China accorded President Yudhoyono and the Indonesian Delegation warm and cordial reception. It was highlighted the significance of this first ever visit by President Yudhoyono as Head of State of the Republic of Indonesia in furthering the strategic partnership between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Indonesia.

3.President Hu Jintao held bilateral talks with President Yudhoyono during his state visit to China, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council met with him. President Yudhoyono also met with business leaders from the two countries in Beijing and visited the city of Shenzhen.

4.In the bilateral discussion between President Hu and President Yudhoyono, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the expansion of bilateral relations in all areas since the restoration of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Indonesia on 8 August 1990. The leaders also acknowledged the strong friendship between the two countries and peoples and emphasized the importance of consolidating and strengthening these friendly relations on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, mutual understanding and respect.

5.President Hu and President Yudhoyono stressed the continuous promotion of mutual understanding and support in our commitment to the principles of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries. China supports the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in its efforts to maintain national unity and territorial integrity. Indonesia reiterates its continuing adherence to the one China policy and its recognition that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing all of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and supports the process of peaceful reunification of China.

6.President Yudhoyono, on behalf of the people of Indonesia, extended his appreciation for the material assistance and moral support given by the Chinese Government and people in the wake of the tsunami and earthquake disaster in Aceh and North Sumatera. Such assistance and support demonstrate the close ties existing between the two countries and peoples. Furthermore, President Yudhoyono welcomed China's continued participation in assisting the reconstruction process of areas affected by the disaster.

7.In the fields of economics and development, President Hu and President Yudhoyono noted that the volume of trade between China and Indonesia has increased steadily in the past few years. At the same time, the two countries need to promote a more attractive and favorable environment for greater trade and investment cooperation as well as open up of mutually beneficial new areas of economic cooperation. The two sides have together signed a number of documents in these fields, efforts have to be stepped up to ensure that they are implemented in a constructive and duly manner. Furthermore, the two sides agreed to explore the potential for the establishment of China-Indonesia investment promotion mechanism which would provide a means to address specific issues pertaining to the promotion of investment in both countries.

8.President Yudhoyono appreciated China's participation in assisting Indonesia's infrastructure development through the provision of grants and concessional loans. President Hu and President Yudhonoyo also noted with satisfaction the current cooperation in the energy sector between the two countries. The two sides stressed that closer people-to-people and business-to-business contacts are conductive to furthering the ties between the two countries and enhancing each other's economic development.

9.In the political and security fields, the two sides were of the view that terrorism continues to present a threat to peace and security in the region and beyond. President Hu and President Yudhoyono stressed on the need to counter, prevent and suppress all forms of terrorist acts in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other international law. The two leaders emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation, particularly in capacity building and technical assistance in combating terrorism and transnational organized crimes as well as in addressing non-traditional security issues as a whole. In addition, both leaders exchanged views on the ways and means to enhance maritime cooperation, particularly with regards to navigation safety and capacity building in this sector.

10. The two leaders are committed to intensify bilateral cooperation in defense and military fields. They agreed that the two countries will work together in developing each other's defense industries as well as in setting up a consultation mechanism for defense and security officials. President Hu and President Yudhoyono both welcomed the signing of the MOU on cooperation in defense technology as a good beginning for greater bilateral cooperation in mutually developing the two countries' defense industries.

11.In the socio-cultural field, President Hu and President Yudhoyono welcomed the signing of the arrangement concerning Chinese language teaching and emphasized the significance of increasing tourism cooperation in strengthening mutual understanding and friendship as well as in promoting greater people-to-people contacts. The two leaders also exchanged views on the possibility of establishing a center for Chinese culture and the teaching of Chinese language in Indonesia.

12.President Hu and President Yudhoyono also exchanged views on regional and international affairs of common concern and stressed the importance of greater China-Indonesia partnership in strengthening multilateralism as well as promoting regional and international peace, stability and economic development.

13.Within the regional framework, President Hu and President Yudhoyono emphasized the need for China and Indonesia to strengthen their cooperation with a view to coping with the challenges facing the region. Within the ASEAN Regional Forum, China and Indonesia agreed to work closely on disaster relief inter alia by co-chairing the fifth and sixth ARF Intersessional Meeting on Disaster Relief (ISM-DR) in 2005 and 2006. On the issue of the East Asian Summit, both leaders are of the view that ASEAN shall remain the main driving force within the EAS. China respects the consensus reached by the ASEAN on the EAS. Indonesia views that a prosperous, active and dynamic China is good for the stability of the region.

14. President Hu and President Yudhoyono highlighted the significance of the Asian-African Summit in Jakarta in April 2005 in enhancing and deepening inter-regional cooperation as well as among developing countries. Both leaders called for the implementation of action plan for the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) adopted during the Asian-African Summit through the development of concrete and feasible programs and initiatives.

15.The two leaders discussed the issue of reform of the United Nations and agreed that in order to ensure that the UN becomes a more democratic, fair and equitable body, reforms should be comprehensive and aimed at strengthening multilateralism and enhancing the UN's efficiency and effectiveness as well as its capacity to deal with new threats and challenges. The UN should also increase inputs in the field of development and facilitate the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Both leaders expressed support for reform of the UN Security Council and stressed that countries should not artificially set a time limit or force a vote on specific reform proposals and instead, should uphold the principle of democracy by seeking the most broadly-based consensus through full consultations.

16.Both Presidents expressed support for the Six-Party Talks process and the commitment of all parties concerned to the goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. They also stressed the need for international support in realizing the Road Map towards a final, just and comprehensive settlement to the Middle East situation in accordance with relevant UN Resolutions.

17.At the conclusion of their bilateral discussion, President Hu and President Yudhoyono attended the signing ceremony of the following documents:

a) MOU on Research and Development in Defense Technological Cooperation Between the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia;

b) MOU Between the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People's Republic of China and Aceh and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency of the Republic of Indonesia on Rebuilding Project in Tsunami-hit Areas Funded by Non-governmental Donations of China;

c) Agreement on Grant Assistance in Relation to Economic and Technical Cooperation Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia;

d) General Loan Agreement of 100 Million USD of Preferential Buyer's Credit from the Government of the People's Republic of China to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia; and

e) Arrangement between the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as Foreign Language of the People's Republic of China and the Directorate General for Primary and Secondary Education of the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Indonesia Concerning Chinese Language Teaching.

The signing of these documents would give substance to the implementation of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Indonesia and the People's Republic of China.

18. President Yudhoyono expressed his sincere gratitude to President Hu and the Government and people of China for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him and the Indonesia Delegation during this state visit, which reflects the bonds of long-standing friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries and peoples.

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中国-东盟自贸区将开辟新的贸易空间

NEWS.SOHU.COM 　　2005年07月19日11:51　　大洋网

　　在中国与东盟《货物贸易协议》行将实施之际，新华社记者近日对东盟各国政要进行了专访。受访官员纷纷表示，此举将推动东盟各国的经济发展，也必将为中国与东盟的经贸合作开辟广阔的新天地。

　　泰国：30%百姓直接受益

　　泰国农业和食品加工业最先获益荩中国10年内成为泰国最大出口市场荩未来10年中国成为泰国最大游客来源国

　　泰国商业部部长他侬·披塔亚指出，东盟各国的经济发展水平悬殊很大，但由于中国市场广大，东盟各成员国几乎都能在与中国实施自由贸易的过程中结合自身特点开拓发展机遇，为各国百姓带来切实利益。他认为，泰国的农业和食品加工业将最先在和中国的自由贸易中获利。泰国全国人口的三分之一都从事与农业相关的产业，这意味着与中国的自由贸易将直接改善全国30%的老百姓的生活。

　　中国商务部公布的数据显示，2004年中泰贸易总额为173.4亿美元，实现37%的年增长率。他侬说，目前中国是泰国第三大出口市场，仅次于美国和日本，中国还是仅次于日本的泰国第二大进口地。而中泰目前只实施了对蔬菜水果等农产品免去关税的“早期收获计划”，因此双边贸易仍有极大发展潜力。他预计，中泰之间全面实施自由贸易后，中国将在未来10年内成为泰国产品的最大出口目的地。

　　他告诉记者，更重要的是，中国-东盟自贸区的启动不仅有利于泰国对外贸易，还将带动泰国经济的全面发展，为中泰经贸合作开辟新天地。比如，泰国政府预计未来10年内，中国游客总数将位居泰国接待各国游客之首，他们的到来将带动泰国各旅游相关行业的全面发展。此外，泰国政府有意将泰国建设为中国和东盟之间的物流、人流和投资中转中心，从而实现本国经济的长足发展。

　　马来西亚：为商户打开广阔天地

　　将有更多东盟企业去中国投资建厂荩马来西亚正努力建成东南亚教育中心荩中国已成马来西亚海外游客和留学生主要来源之一马国际贸易和工业部副部长马袖强指出，中国-东盟自贸区协议不仅涵盖货物贸易，也包括投资和服务业领域的合作。中国对包括马来西亚在内的东南亚各国的直接投资将有望增加，而随着自贸协议所规定的透明度和进一步开放市场等承诺的落实，也将有更多的东盟企业去中国投资建厂，共享商机。

　　在谈到自贸区对马来西亚的影响时，马袖强说，马来西亚只有2500多万人口，国内市场有限，而自贸区的建立为马来西亚商户打开了一个广阔的天地。引进良性竞争可以有效激发马国内生产商和销售商的积极性，有助于提高本土制造业的质量。而随着中国商品输入马来西亚市场，本国的消费者亦可拥有更多的选择。

　　马袖强表示，马中两国不仅在经贸方面的合作前景广阔，而且在旅游、教育等领域亦有潜力可挖。马政府正在努力将马来西亚建成东南亚地区教育中心，也将采取一些新措施吸引更多的中国游客来马感受浓郁的热带风情。

　　据马官方提供的数据，2004年来马旅游的中国游客人数增加了48.5%。据中方的统计，目前中国在马的留学生有1.3万多人。中国已成为马来西亚海外游客和留学生的主要来源之一。

　　菲律宾：物价水平有望降低

　　菲律宾电子产品、服装、水果和原材料出口将极大受益荩菲律宾将在服务贸易方面发挥更大优势荩中国较高储蓄率将为菲律宾经济建设补充资本

　　菲律宾贸工部国际贸易关系局局长卡比廷认为，就商品贸易而言，《货物贸易协议》将使更多种类和数量的中国商品进入菲律宾市场，满足消费者的多种要求，还会拉低目前居高不下的物价水平。特别是中国品种繁多的蔬菜，可以大大丰富老百姓的饭桌；还有中国发达的制造业，能够在很大程度上补充菲律宾轻工产品的市场空缺。

　　与此同时，菲律宾出口商也将面对更广阔和具有潜力的中国市场。卡比廷说，菲律宾的电子产品、服装、水果和原材料出口将极大受益于这一自由贸易协议。他预计，两国贸易量将迅速增长，这一协议对于菲中两国将产生“双赢”成果。

　　卡比廷还指出，作为服务业发达的菲律宾期待这一自由贸易协议顺利推进，将来能在服务贸易方面发挥更大优势。他同时认为，中国经济迅速崛起，中国拥有较高的储蓄率，而菲律宾目前正需要大量资本投入经济建设，希望能在自由贸易协议框架下的跨国投资中与中国建立更紧密的合作关系。

　　卡比廷说，另一方面，取消关税壁垒，菲律宾一些产业势必面临中国物美价廉的产品带来的市场竞争。但菲政府认为，挑战也是一种机遇。为了生存，菲律宾生产和出口商将会想方设法提高产品质量和服务水平，根据市场需求重新调整生产结构，这将有利于菲律宾的产业重组和市场竞争实力的增强。

　　中国-东盟自贸区将催生国际城市带

　　广西城市规划部门日前完成的《“中国-东盟博览会”与大南宁空间发展规划研究》预测，随着中国-东盟自由贸易区的加快建立，从河内、南宁、海口到珠江三角洲将出现中越国际城市带，带内将形成珠江三角洲国际城市群、南宁国际城市和河内国际城市。

　　南宁市自2004年成为中国-东盟博览会永久举办地后，其城市空间发展获得千载难逢的机遇。专家认为，从越南首都河内到中国香港区域范围内，目前已有香港这个公认的著名国际城市，河内和广州已被有关国际组织列入国际城市的行列，同时，深圳、澳门、海口、南宁、昆明等城市提出了相关的国际城市发展目标。南宁面临的国际化进程既有压力，也有动力。南宁市如今的优势非常突出而独特：中国-东盟博览会永久举办地的磁场效应和面向东盟的独特地理位置。

　　专家建议，南宁市应充分利用独特优势和珠江三角洲城市国际化的溢出效应，建立自身强大和稳固的区域支撑体系，即建立涵盖北海、钦州、防城港和崇左等周边城市的桂南发展圈，以此来参加中越国际城市带的建设，最终将自身发展成国际城市。

　　从长远看，继珠江三角洲、长江三角洲和环渤海湾三大城市密集区之后，桂南发展圈有望发展成为环北部湾的第四大城市密集区。

　　2003年10月8日，中国总理温家宝在第七次中国与东盟(10+1)领导人会议上建议，从2004年起每年在中国广西南宁举办中国-东盟博览会。作为中国推进自由贸易区建设的一项实际行动，这一建议得到了各国领导人的普遍欢迎，并写入会后发表的主席声明。第二届博览会将于2005年10月19日至22日在南宁举办。(李世莘)

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中国东盟7000种商品明起全面降税

NEWS.SOHU.COM 　　2005年07月19日11:55　　大洋网

　　从7月20日起，中国与东南亚国家联盟(东盟)正式开始对原产对方的约7000种商品相互给予优惠关税待遇，以自由贸易区的税率实现彼此货物的通关。

　　东盟秘书长王景荣日前在接受新华社记者专访时说，东盟-中国自由贸易区的启动将极大推动东亚地区的经贸发展，是东盟-中国经贸关系发展史上的重要里程碑。

　　王景荣说，东盟和中国联合进行的可行性研究表明，自贸区的建立，将创造一个拥有17亿消费者的经济区域，其国内生产总值约2万亿美元，贸易总额估计为1.23万亿美元。

　　他说，自贸区的运营可以使东盟和中国相互之间取消贸易壁垒，降低成本，增加区内贸易额，提高经济效益。同时，它还可以在东盟成员国和中国之间建立一种共同体意识，为东亚经济稳定提供另一个重要的机制，并使东盟和中国在共同关心的国际贸易事务中拥有更大的发言权。

　　他认为，东盟和中国将在自贸区框架之下继续保持双边贸易的迅猛增长势头，双边贸易额有望在2005年年底之前达到1000亿美元，这也是中国国家总理温家宝2003年在印尼巴厘岛举行的东盟-中国高峰会议上定下的目标。与此同时，双边贸易额的增长还会带动东盟和中国在其他领域关系的发展。

　　王景荣说，所有东盟国家都将从自贸区中受益，但受益程度取决于每个国家的自身能力和应变准备。东盟已为其成员国培育了一个可以创造大量商机的环境，接下来就要看每个国家确立的相关战略是否得当。东盟不仅要监督自贸区机制的实施，还要敦促各个成员国政府向本国的工商业机构普及有关自贸区的基本知识和使用技能。

　　《中国-东盟全面经济合作框架协议货物贸易协议》于7月1日正式实施，双方用20天的时间对彼此的关税减让表进行技术性核查，并调整相关的海关数据系统。从7月20日起，正式开始按照协议规定的时间表，对原产于中国和东盟的产品相互给予优惠关税待遇。

　　中国-东盟自由贸易区是中国与东盟10国建立的自由贸易安排。2004年11月29日，双方在老挝万象签署了《货物贸易协议》。协议共23个条款，3个附件。根据协议，货物贸易产品除早期收获产品外，余下产品分为正常产品和敏感产品，其中正常产品近7000种。正常产品和敏感产品的区别为：正常产品的关税要削减直至取消，敏感产品的关税受到上限的约束，但不必取消关税。

　　协议对正常产品降税提出了以下额外要求：中国和东盟6个老成员国(指泰国、新加坡、马来西亚、印度尼西亚、菲律宾和文莱)至2005年7月40%税目的关税降到0～5%；2007年1月60%税目的关税要降到0～5%。老挝和缅甸至2009年1月、柬埔寨至2012年1月50%的税目的关税降到0～5%；2013年40%税目的关税降到零。越南2010年50%税目的关税降到0～5%。

　　部分国家关税结构现状

　　一、泰国税率高于20%的产品：主要为咖啡，茶、香料，面粉，油脂，糖，蔬菜制品，烟草，塑料、橡胶制品，木制品，纸制品，纺织品，鞋、帽等轻工产品和玻璃制品，钢铁及其制品，机电产品，机动车辆等；税率为15%的产品：主要为钢铁及其制品；税率10%～15%的产品：主要为木材及纸制品，纺织品，钢铁，机电产品；税率5%～10%的产品：主要为饲料、机电产品。

　　二、马来西亚税率20%的产品：主要为纺织品，鱼制品，可可制品，蔬菜制品，酒，塑料及橡胶制品，鞋、靴等轻工产品，玻璃制品，钢铁，机电产品，汽车、摩托车及自行车；税率为15%的产品：主要为食糖、化工产品、纸制品、纺织品、钢铁、机电产品等；税率10%的产品：主要为油脂、纸制品、纺织品、钢铁制品；税率为5%～10%的产品：主要为特种纺织品；税率为5%及以下的产品：主要为木制品、纸制品、纺织品、拖拉机、小排量汽车、机动车零附件、自行车及摩托车零附件等。

　　三、印度尼西亚税率20%以上的产品：主要为食糖、酒、塑料及橡胶制品、钢铁及制品、机动车辆等；税率15%的产品：主要为活鱼、化工制品、天然橡胶、皮革、纸制品、纺织品、钢铁制品、机电产品、机动车辆等；税率10%的产品：主要为纺织品、油脂、化工产品、木材、轻工产品、钢铁制品、自行车等；零税率产品：主要为农产品、高端钢铁制品、机电产品等。

　　四、菲律宾税率高于20%的产品：主要为活动物、猪肉、家禽肉、蔬菜、大米、糖、咖啡、机动车辆、摩托车等；税率15%的产品：主要为塑料制品、木制品、纺织品、钢铁制品、机电产品；税率10%的产品：主要为鱼、油脂、天然橡胶、纸制品、轻工产品、玻璃制品、钢铁制品、机电产品。

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中国-东盟自由贸易区1.2万亿美元大市场凸现

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http://finance.sina.com.cn 2005年06月26日 12:24 和讯网－《财经》杂志

　　被寄予经济和政治双赢希望的中国-东盟自由贸易区的建立，是中国加入WTO后在区域合作上迈出的最重要一步

　　张蕴岭/文

　　7月1日，中国-东盟自由贸易区《货物贸易协议》开始实施，近7000种商品将按商定时间表降税。这意味着一个拥有17亿人口、国内生产总值达2万亿美元、贸易总额为1.2万亿美元大市场的历史性开局。中国在加入WTO以后重视区域合作，中国-东盟自由贸易区的建设是最重要的一步。

　　2000年，朱镕基总理在新加坡首先提出创建中国-东盟自由贸易区的动议。随后，中国与东盟联合专家组于2001年递交了研究报告，提出用10年时间建成中国-东盟自由贸易区。2002年计划进入前期筹备阶段。

　　考虑到东盟一些国家对建立与中国自由贸易区的担心，双方首先启动的是“早期收获”(Early Harvest)计划，即在达成自由贸易区协定之前，先期给予东盟国家一些现实的贸易利益，不对等地开放农产品贸易，使东盟国家感到与中国建立紧密经济关系以及开放市场大有裨益，以减少东盟诸国的疑虑。

　　应该说，“早期收获”计划是对传统自由贸易区的一个创新。

　　泰国是第一个与中国订立“早期收获”计划的东盟国家，马来西亚、菲律宾也随后加入。“早期收获”计划从2003年开始实施，为期四年。“早期收获”计划选择对东盟400种农产品实行零关税，而不要求互惠让步——这在发展中国家是没有先例的。

　　到2004年底，中国-东盟自由贸易区的货物贸易谈判完成。货物产品开放分为两步：第一是对较发达国家，用不到10年时间实现大部分产品零关税；第二是对欠发达的东盟新成员，给予三至五年的过渡期。由此，中国—东盟自由贸易区的建成时间为2010年至2012年。

　　实际上，在自由贸易协定安排下，7000种产品绝大部分将实现零关税，而部分敏感产品则将分步进行。开放的产品约占目前中国和东盟贸易产品总额的95%。

　　产品开放将带来积极的效应，这会进一步改善中国与东盟之间的整体贸易氛围，加强经济联系。尽管在中国与东盟的贸易中，资源产品和中间产品占的比例很大，它们的实际税率已很低——自由贸易区将大大减少管理成本；同时，中国经济发展带来的需求增长，将使双方既有经济联系进一步加强。近几年东盟对中国出口增长迅速，年平均增幅在30%以上，自由贸易区会加强这种势头。同时，这会为中国对东盟的出口提供新机遇。目前中国在与东盟的贸易中处于大量逆差，且呈上升趋势。但东盟市场仍是有机会和有潜力的，中国企业可利用零关税和低成本优势加大对东盟市场进入的力度。另外，亦可利用东盟内部的自由贸易区，到东盟投资生产。

　　中国对东盟出口产品的主要优势，一是零关税，二是低成本。东盟市场结构不仅在很多方面适应中国，更重要的是作为一个整体市场，东盟内部存在自由贸易区，到东盟投资生产可利用零关税使产品在所有成员国市场进行销售。

　　国内企业过去一直存在一个误区，认为东南亚太穷，不在其出口扩大战略考虑之列。实际上，东盟每个国家都可能是某一类消费产品的大市场。以柬埔寨为例，中国制造的摩托车，21、25英寸彩电有着现实的需求。东盟国家不同的发展状态，恰恰为不同档次的同类产品提供了商机。东南亚放开市场可能为中国某些面临倒闭的劳动密集型中小企业带来机遇，小批量、技术含量偏低的产品将找到自己的市场。

　　货物贸易谈判结束后，将是投资和服务类谈判。投资谈判有三个重点：一是开放保护领域；二是投资保护；三是贸易便利条件。

　　这方面的谈判仍在进行准备，估计需要1年时间。开放投资领域意义重大，有些国家对电信业限制较多，有的则对某些制造业过度保护，还有的对当地资源进行投资的存在股权比例和投资规模等限制。投资谈判主要是为促进投资创造一个更有利的环境。过去东盟到我国投资较多，今后中国到东盟的投资亦会大幅增加。

　　服务领域涵盖广泛，包括劳务、运输和金融等。一旦谈判完成，此前已有合作协议的旅游业也将实现更大自由度，比如我国可多方开办旅游公司，直接办理旅游业务。

　　中国-东盟自由贸易区最重要的特点是中国把东盟作为“一个整体”来考虑。发展与东南亚关系是中国周边战略中最重要一环，同时涵盖政经领域。同时，把东南亚作为一个整体市场，也有利于中国企业“走出去”。作为离中国最近的一个市场，东南亚便于国内生产能力转移及资源开发。此外，东南亚也将是中国最重要的一个能源供应地。

　　在政治上，中国希望通过密切经济关系改善与东南亚整体关系。中国与一些东盟国家，如印尼、越南、柬埔寨等过去有很多冲突，如今通过密切经济关系来改善政治关系，效果非常明显。

　　总体看来，区域合作是一个大趋势，与全球化具有互补关系。我国对自由贸易安排采取了先易后难、由近及远的战略，东盟亦吻合这一思路。现在货物贸易自由区安排开始生效了，现实的利益和未来的潜力都很大，亟需把握。-

　　作者为中国社会科学院亚太研究所所长


http://finance.sina.com.cn/j/20050626/12241725401.shtml

People's Daily Online -- China, ASEAN agree to end tariffs

People's Daily Online -- China, ASEAN agree to end tariffsHome >> Business
UPDATED: 16:51, October 26, 2004
China, ASEAN agree to end tariffs



China has reached agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, on completely removing tariffs on merchandise goods by 2010 as part of a proposed free trade agreement, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce says.

The agreement on ending most tariffs was reached during a meeting last week in Beijing and will be signed at a China-ASEAN leaders' summit next month, the ministry said in a statement posted Tuesday on its Web site.

The two sides will begin to implement the tariff cuts from 2005, it cited ministry spokesman Chong Quan as saying.

China ranks the 10-nation ASEAN as its fifth largest trading partner, with two-way trade currently accounting for more than one-tenth of the country's annual total trade volume of more than $850 billion.

ASEAN includes Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Malaysia and Thailand.

The two sides have been negotiating details of a trade pact for several months. Last month, there was a breakthrough when ASEAN agreed to grant China market economy status.

Under global trade rules, granting market economy status to a country lessens the scrutiny applied to domestic pricing policies, a major factor in investigating unfair trade practices such as dumping.

Chong said China places a high degree of importance on developing and deepening its economic relations with ASEAN.

Free-trade agreements have become increasingly popular due to the slow progress of ongoing multilateral talks at the World Trade Organization with China in several negotiations with trading partners.

Australia and China are conducting a feasibility study on a proposed free-trade agreement. If the study is favorable, Australia will also have to decide whether to grant China market economy status before further negotiations can proceed.

Source: China Daily/agencies

People's Daily Online -- China to cut tariff rates to six ASEAN nations

People's Daily Online -- China to cut tariff rates to six ASEAN nationsHome >> Business
UPDATED: 08:20, July 20, 2005
China to cut tariff rates to six ASEAN nations



China announced Tuesday it will lower the tariff rate imposed on goods from six members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from 9.9 percent on average to 8.1 percent as of July 20.

The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, or the Chinese central government, said the negotiated tariff rate of China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone will be applied to six ASEAN nations, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand.

With the imposition of the tariff rate, the tariff rates on 3, 408 types of goods from the six nations will be lower than that for most favored nations.

The negotiated tariff rate for other types of goods from the six countries will be as same as that for most favored nations in 2005.

Source: Xinhua

People's Daily Online -- Enterprises should know trade pact rules

People's Daily Online -- Enterprises should know trade pact rules

Home >> Opinion
UPDATED: 08:32, July 12, 2005
Enterprises should know trade pact rules



From July 20, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are scheduled to lower tariffs on more than 7,000 industrial goods.

The tangible step, in line with the Agreement on Trade in Goods signed between the two parties in November last year, is widely believed to be a milestone in forging the China-ASEAN free trade area (FTA), the first such alliance involving China.

But how will this affect Chinese companies? How many domestic firms understand and are ready for the windfall? How many entrepreneurs know how to respond?

According to a recent survey carried out by the China-ASEAN Business Council, 99 per cent of Chinese entrepreneurs had not yet read the Agreement on Trade in Goods.

Worse still, concepts like FTA, ASEAN and ASEAN 10 plus one were new to some respondents. When filling in questionnaires from the council, some took FTA to be the abbreviation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, some believed ASEAN, which in Chinese reads like "Eastern Union," was a grouping of cities in the east of the country, and some people said ASEAN 10 plus one referred to 10 experiences and one lesson in China's co-operation with ASEAN.

Such a situation is worrying, especially at a time when FTA has become the way forward in world trade and China is on the threshold of several major agreements.

Aside from the deal with ASEAN, China is busy with FTA negotiations with Australia, Chile, Pakistan and the Gulf Co-operation Council.

The Chinese Government has been active in making FTA proposals top leaders even suggested the establishment of an East Asia FTA covering ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea. But enterprises have been slow to catch up.

Less domestic companies than expected are reaping the benefits of the early harvest programme (EHP), under which China and ASEAN reduced tariffs on more than 500 agricultural products, such as vegetables and fruits, from the beginning of last year.

Insiders say many Chinese companies simply did not apply for the certificate of Chinese origin for their products, with which their exports could have enjoyed lower tariffs. In Fujian Province only 5.2 per cent of export products listed under EHP were covered by certificates in the first half of last year.

Even in Yunnan Province, which borders Southeast Asian countries, few firms have applied for a certificate, while customs officials said a very limited number of companies had ever consulted them about the new tariff cuts to be initiated later this month.

Such a passive attitude has aroused concern among experts and officials who have been encouraging domestic companies to learn more about FTAs, and prepare to meet future opportunities and challenges.

The situation is similar to that in the 1990s when China was busy negotiating its entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). Enterprises were urged to learn about relevant rules and hammer out new business strategies.

After years of joint work by government, enterprises and the media, we are happy to see the WTO has become a widely-known organization.

But now it is time for domestic firms to get used to the idea of the FTA as they did with the WTO. They should also seriously reconsider their strategies with the coming of the FTA era, and make timely business adjustments.

Overseas counterparts in Europe, North America and Southeast Asia are already very familiar with FTAs as they were initiated a decade, or even decades, ago in these areas.

Enterprises planning to invest in or conduct trade in areas with which China is in FTA talks must keep an eye on developments.

They should study thoroughly the contracts and related original manufacturing rules in order to produce, trade and store commodities according to tariff-cut schedules.

Meanwhile, new marketing strategies should also be worked out after investment and trade are mutually opened.

Of course, the government also has work to do.

One pressing task is to provide domestic enterprises with timely information related to FTAs. Details of agreements that have already been signed should also be made available to companies.

Insiders say an important reason why domestic exporters have not applied for certificates of Chinese origin is they have not yet got the Chinese version of the EHP agreements and do not know what kind of products are listed under the programme.

The Agreement on Trade in Goods, which will soon be implemented, has been in the process of being translated since November last year when the two sides inked the deal.

Without copies of the agreements enterprises are blind to which markets are open to their products, when their products enjoy lower tariffs and for what kind of products they can apply for certificates of Chinese origin.

Another important task is to establish and improve information services. Databases in investment environments, projects soliciting foreign investment and intermediary information institutions should be established.

Intermediary institutions such as business consultancies, law firms, accountants and patent firms should be encouraged to set up and support enterprises doing business in countries with FTA pacts with China.

Source: China Daily

People's Daily Online -- China to individually expand preferential tariff range for three Asian neighbors: Premier

People's Daily Online -- China to individually expand preferential tariff range for three Asian neighbors: Premier
Home >> Business
UPDATED: 17:03, July 05, 2005
China to individually expand preferential tariff range for three Asian neighbors: Premier



Premier Wen Jiabao announced in Kunming on Tuesday that China has decided to individually expand the range of products eligible for preferential tariff from the Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar as of January 1, 2006 with an aim to raise the level of intra-regional trade cooperation.

Wen made the announcement while addressing the opening ceremony of the second summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) in this capital city of southwest China's Yunnan Province.

People's Daily Online -- ASEAN becomes China's fourth biggest trading partner

People's Daily Online -- ASEAN becomes China's fourth biggest trading partner
Home >> Business
UPDATED: 17:12, July 21, 2005
ASEAN becomes China's fourth biggest trading partner



According to the statistics provided by the Customs, China-ASEAN bilateral trade volumes hit 59.76 billion US dollars in the first half of this year, increasing by 25% compared to the same period of last year. The trade volume between China and ASEAN have increased from 6.691 billion US dollars in 1990 to 105.88 billion US dollars in 2004, with an annual increase rate of 20%. At present, ASEAN has become the fourth biggest trading partner of China.

Starting from July 20, China has implemented the conventional tariffs of the China-ASEAN free-trade areas on goods from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, Singapore and Thailand. The Customs has worked out special measures to ensure that the "conventional-tariff" products pass the customhouse rapidly.

By People's Daily Online

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中国东盟自由贸易区降税计划启动 平均税率8.1%


NEWS.SOHU.COM 　　2005年07月20日02:25　　第一财经日报


　　我国对东盟部分国家平均关税税率为8.1%，比最惠国平均税率水平9.9%低1.8个百分点

　　从今天开始，按照中国与东盟签署的《中国-东盟全面经济合作框架协议货物贸易协议》(下称“协议”)的时间表，对原产于中国和东盟的产品相互给予优惠关税待遇。

　　据悉，中国对文莱、印度尼西亚、马来西亚、缅甸、新加坡、泰国等6个国家实施中国-东盟自由贸易区协定税率(含现行对6国实施的“早期收获”商品协定税率)。2005年7月20日后，我国对上述各国平均关税税率为8.1%，与最惠国平均税率水平9.9%相比低1.8个百分点。

　　但是，关税互惠的背后，除了更大的机遇之外，也给商业活动提出更多的规范要求。中国-东盟商务理事会副秘书长许宁宁因此表示：“要想在‘掘金’东南亚的路上少花‘路费’，中国企业有十大困难，应注意解决。”

　　中国企业：缺乏长期战略计划

　　首先，很多中国企业不了解中国-东盟自由贸易区规则，面对自贸区建设带来的新变化没有应对方案。许宁宁向记者解释，东盟进入区域经济一体化角色比中国提前10年，而“中国-东盟自由贸易区”的概念出现后，不少中国企业缺乏足够的准备。

　　其次，缺乏开发东盟市场的意识和长期战略计划也是一个很重要的问题。许宁宁认为，这一问题导致两个后果：缺乏对东盟市场的可行性分析，盲目投资；缺乏东盟国家商务渠道，选错商务合作伙伴。据中国-东盟理事会资料，有中国投资者在柬埔寨至少买断了5万公顷土地，拥有10~99年不等的使用权，但到目前实际开发面积不到1%。

　　针对问题，许宁宁给中国企业“支招”：企业应尽快了解《协议》内容，面对自贸区建设带来的新变化提出应对方案，制订东盟市场长远开发战略。

　　东盟国家投资环境有待改善

　　从东盟10国的实际情况看，大多缺乏规范的市场机制，政策连续性不强，加之税收体系不够完善，市场风险较大。中国企业与东盟国家经贸合作发展过程中，存在较大的风险和制约因素。

　　比如有中国外交官指出，越南的政策透明度不够，在3年多的时间里，对摩托车散装进口和国产化的管理，主管部门改变了34次。而中国熊猫家用电器产业集团亚/非洲区销售经理张栋18日说：“很难说《协议》马上就能给东盟带来蹲拭骋谆肪澈艽蟾纳疲サゾ陀霉ぶ贫日庖坏闵希秃苋萌送诽邸！?/P>

　　许宁宁将来自东盟方面的状况，归纳为两个主要问题，其一，东盟有些国家不透明、不稳定的投资环境；其二，东盟有些国家的贸易、投资壁垒。他举例说，越南《外国在越南投资法实施细则》规定，矿产勘探、开发和深加工项目属于鼓励投资领域，但中方投资该领域时的审批程序复杂、周期长，矿源得不到保障，无法正常生产。

　　再比如泰国，因为泰国不是WTO《政府采购协定》的签署国，在政府采购招标中，泰国对外国投标企业设置一系列限制，使中国企业无法投标或难以中标。

　　中国-东盟贸易合作前景

　　不过，许宁宁表示，就官方而言，“中国与东盟双方应积极实施，创造透明、自由、便利的地区贸易、投资机制和环境。与此同时，双方应加快CAFTA的投资协议和服务贸易协议的谈判，使其早日得到签署，这是我们增进合作、共同发展的现实选择，也是CAFTA得以全面建成的客观要求。”

　　据中国-东盟理事会提供的资料，今年上半年，中国与东盟双方贸易总值597.6亿美元，增长25%。近12年来东盟连续为中国的第五大贸易伙伴。今年上半年东盟则跃为中国第四大贸易伙伴。

　　今年4月份中国国家主席胡锦涛在应邀访问东南亚时曾表示：“随着中国-东盟自由贸易区建设的不断推进，我们完全有信心在2010年前实现中国和东盟年贸易额达到2000亿美元的目标。”而东盟秘书长王景荣日前在接受新华社记者专访时说，东盟和中国联合进行的可行性研究表明，自贸区的建立，将创造一个拥有17亿消费者的经济区域，其国内生产总值约2万亿美元，贸易总额估计为1.23万亿美元。本报记者赵杰发自北京

　　中国企业投资东盟十大难题

　　一 不了解中国-东盟自由贸易区相关规则

　　二 缺乏开发东盟市场的意识和长期战略计划

　　三 缺乏东盟国家商务渠道，选错东盟商务合作伙伴

　　四 企业同类产品在东盟市场竞相压价，恶性竞争

　　五 不法企业将假冒违例产品出口到东盟市场

　　六 缺乏对东盟市场的可行性分析，盲目投资

　　七 不能入乡随俗，简单照搬本企业文化和在国内的市场营销经验

　　八 遭遇东盟有些国家不透明、不稳定的投资环境

　　九 遭遇东盟有些国家的贸易、投资壁垒。

　　十 缺乏东南亚市场开发优秀人才

　　

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