Taking Stock: China's First Decade of Free Trade

43 Pages Posted: 25 May 2011

See all articles by Timothy Webster

Timothy Webster

Western New England University School of Law

Jun Zhao

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: May 24, 2011

Abstract

China has established itself as a global economic presence in the past ten years. This article explains one important but overlooked aspect of this rise, China’s newfound interest in free trade agreements (FTAs). This paper situates the FTA boom within a framework of international political economy and China’s recent regional rise. This paper probes the question of how China selects its FTA partners, referencing US trade practice and policy as a framework by which to analyze China’s own preferences. This paper then explores the main features of China’s FTAs, finding that it has adopted a flexible FTA strategy that attends closely to China’s own unique social and economic prerogatives at this time, and also matches well with partner expectations. This paper concludes with a discussion of both guiding principles and concrete proposals for China’s future FTA strategy.

Keywords: China, Free Trade Agreements, Economic Diplomacy, International Relations

Suggested Citation

Webster, Timothy and Zhao, Jun, Taking Stock: China's First Decade of Free Trade (May 24, 2011). University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law, Vol. 33, p. 324, 2011, Yale Law School, Public Law Working Paper , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1851552

Timothy Webster (Contact Author)

Western New England University School of Law ( email )

1215 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
United States

Jun Zhao

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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