ABSTRACT
To better elaborate on the connotation of Free Trade Area (FTA), on May 19, 2008, the Ministry of Commerce of China and General Administration of Customs jointly issued a Letter on Regulating the Expression of FTA under the explanations of the World Trade Organisation. FTA and Free Trade Zone (FTZ) are different in nature. China’s special economic zones, bonded zones, export processing zones, bonded ports, economic and technological development zones and other special economic, functional zones all share certain characteristics of the “FTZ”. In the 17th NPC report delivered in 2007, it clearly stated to carry out FTA strategy and enhance bilateral and multilateral economic and trade cooperation. China sets great store by FTA building, and uses it as a lever for bolstering openness and establishing a community of shared future for mankind. To elevate FTA development to the height of national policies will enable FTAs to be new approaches and ways of promoting reform and development.
