China-ASEAN FTA works on win-win for all

BEIJING - Indonesia stands to benefit from the implementation of the China-ASEAN free trade agreement (FTA) with easier access to more deals in new markets for its manufactured products and raw materials, contrary to views that the FTA is hurting the local economy, said a senior official from China's Ministry of Commerce.

"The problems (of unemployment and dropping sales) should be attributed to the weak competitiveness of their own industries, rather than the impact of the China-ASEAN FTA," Jiang Jiqing, director of Department of International Trade and Economic Affairs said.

She was responding to a recent article published by Kompas, Indonesia's largest daily newspaper, which alleged that the China-ASEAN FTA has led to lower profits and prompted job losses in Indonesia's five major industries - electronics, furniture, metal, mechanicals and textiles.