On the evening of May 17, 2021, the International Law Salon special lecture “RECP or CPTPP? China’s Path to the Construction of the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area” was held as scheduled on Tencent Meeting. The salon was honored to invite Prof. Kong Qingjiang from China University of Political Science and Law, as the keynote speaker, and Prof. Ma as the moderator. Approximately 70 people participated in the salon online.
During the lecture, Prof. Kong traced the historical context to describe the path towards the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area (FTA) and provided a detailed introduction to the connection between the Asia-Pacific FTA and China. The Asia-Pacific FTA is a geopolitical aspiration for China and a focal point of China’s free trade zone strategy. The construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative has provided momentum for the development of the Asia-Pacific FTA.
Prof. Kong pointed out that from China’s perspective, there are three viable paths to advance the construction of the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area (FTAAP): firstly, promoting negotiations on the FTAAP; secondly, initiating negotiations for China’s accession to the CPTPP and encouraging other countries in the region to join; and thirdly, advocating for the expansion of the RCEP signatories and improving the negotiations on the RCEP. Finally, Prof. Kong analyzed the pros and cons as well as the feasibility of China choosing each of these three paths by considering a variety of influencing factors.
During the inquiry segment preceding the conclusion of the lecture, the participants, comprising both educators and students, posed their queries pertaining to the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area. Prof. Kong addressed each question meticulously and engaged in a cordial and scholarly discourse with the attendees. The lecture culminated in an ambience of conviviality and intellectual camaraderie.
