China will accelerate negotiations with DEPA members to seek early success: MOFCOM

He Yongqian, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

On November 14, a ministerial meeting between China and the members of the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) was held during the APEC ministerial meeting, where the parties concerned exchanged views on the progress of the negotiations and the work in the next phase, He said Yongqian, spokesman for China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), said at a regular press conference on Thursday.

China will work with DEPA member countries to speed up the negotiation process and strive to achieve results as quickly as possible, while exploring the potential for cooperation in the digital economy and pushing forward the specific cooperation projects to achieve early results he said.

On November 1, 2021, China submitted a formal application to join DEPA. She later held several rounds of talks with DEPA members, outlining China’s laws, regulations and regulatory practices in the digital economy and actively demonstrating her willingness to cooperate under DEPA, Xinhua News Agency reported.

On August 18, 2022, China set up a working group to advance talks on joining the DEPA and began negotiations on its accession to the agreement, Xinhua said.

“These meetings discussed issues related to the digital economy, including business and trade facilitation, dealing with digital products, data issues, cybersecurity, new technologies and digital inclusivity, and positive progress was made,” He said, adding that China is also involved in cooperation with DEPA members on certain topics such as electronic waybills and electronic invoices.

Talking about the process of China’s accession to the CPTPP, he said that China attaches great importance to joining the pact and has demonstrated the determination, ability and measures to achieve high standards of the CPTPP through communication with member countries improve and submit files to the CPTPP committee.

Since submitting an application to join the CPTPP, China has conducted an in-depth analysis and assessment of the content of the pact and made preparations to make market access offers in areas such as trade in goods and services, investment and government procurement. said the speaker.

Meanwhile, following the contents of the pact, China has also actively pushed forward policy adjustment and legislation in related areas and started trial operations in qualified free trade zones and ports, He said.

In accordance with the procedure for joining the CPTPP, China will continue to maintain intensive communication with CPTPP members and actively promote the process of joining the pact, he said.

Global times