25 January 2017

News Story: China committed to Asia-Pacific economic integration process - FM spokesperson

BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- China said Tuesday that it was committed to the process of Asia-Pacific economic integration in a spirit of openness, inclusivity and transparency, despite the United States quitting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

"China will forge ahead with the negotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the construction of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) so as to add new impetus to regional and global economic development," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at a daily press briefing.

U.S. President Donald Trump Monday signed a memorandum ordering withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

The TPP, a free trade pact between 12 Asia-Pacific countries, was formally signed by ministers last February after more than five years of negotiation. China is not a member of the TPP.

Read the full story at Xinhua