Negative list makes debut in FTA talks

China used the negative list system for the first time to conduct negotiations on service trade and investment during the second phase of China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement talks, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

The ministry said that the two sides will continue to create a freer and convenient environment for service trade and investment for companies. The meeting was held in Beijing on March 29.

Even though the China-South Korea FTA already has many "advanced articles" in highlighting services and investment, introducing negative list in the FTA negotiation indicates that China is keen to further connect this mechanism with global markets, said Bai Ming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.