Time ripe for setting up China-EU FTA

Editor's Note: Hainan-based China Institute for Reform and Development, one of the country's top think tanks, recently published a study that says the establishment of a China-EU Free Trade Area by 2020 will prove decisive in deepening Beijing-Brussels cooperation. Following is a summary of the report:

The period from now to 2020 is ideal for setting up a China-EU FTA, and the strategic options chosen by the two sides will determine the depth of cooperation between them.

Brexit has not only added more uncertainties to the European Union integration project, but also heightened the need to expedite the process of establishing a China-EU FTA as soon as possible.