The RTA Strategy of China : A Critical Visit

Starting with the signing of the CEPA with Hong Kong, China, on 30 June 2003, China has jumped on the RTA bandwagon. As of 1 September 2006, China has signed or is negotiating RTAs with trade partners such as Hong Kong, China; Macau, China; Chile; Pakistan; Australia; New Zealand; ASEAN; Iceland; India and Gulf Cooperation Council. What prompted China's decision to enter into RTAs with other trade partners? What are the costs and benefits of the current RTAs for China? What will be the RTA strategy of China in the future? This paper discusses these questions from a political economy perspective