Xinhua | 2012-8-30
China supports Hong Kong’s access to the China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone (FTA)
as it facilitates the economic integration of the southeastern Asian
nations, said the Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming on Wednesday.
Chen made the remarks when speaking to the media at the sidelines of
the on-going 44th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting in Cambodia’s tourist
City of Siem Reap.
Chen said that Hong Kong’s access to the FTA is listed as one of the
widely discussed topics during the ministers’ meetings. Some of the
ASEAN nations had voiced their desires to initiate the negation about
Hong Kong’s entrance.
“Hong Kong is a very important economy in east Asian area in terms of
trade and investment,” said Chen, adding, “its access to the
China-ASEAN FTA will positively facilitate the regional economic
integration.”
According to Chen, Hong Kong’s economic advantages lie in its
investment environment, strong service industry and its ability to
develop the international market.
“However, some ASEAN nations have to carefully assess Hong Kong ‘s
access to the FTA as their interests might be hurt by the latter’s high
level of economic openness and freedom,” Chen added.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the ministers meeting on Monday,
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen appealed to the ministers to finalize
the discussions of Hong Kong’s access of FTA and submit it to the ASEAN
summit in November for the final approval.
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