Theoretical Consideration About Bilateral-FTA And China's Countermeasure Research

Since 20 century 1990 years, bilateral free trade has become a new trend of international trade. More and more countries participate in the tide. They sign bilateral free trade agreements to found bilateral free trade areas, so that to achieve free trade better and better. Before this turn, there have been two times when bilateral free trade was popular. They had their own backgrounds and special features. Because of its superior nature, the new turn of bilateral FTA is becoming the new trend of international trade. China should go with this historical development tide, and participates in the new trend actively, so that to get corresponding benefit. With WTO Doha-round multilateral trade negotiation coming into a standstill, the multilateral free trade development momentum is prevented. Chinese government adjusts the new key-point of foreign trade policy to bilateral free trade rapidly and has achieved some success during short term. Up to now, China has negotiated 10 free trade agreements, including 28 countries and areas, covering about 1/4 of China's total foreign trade. Among these FTAs, 5 have been signed and 5 are being discussed. China is still negotiating with many other countries and areas about the possibility of cooperation. Though the prospect is hopeful, there are still some problems and defects which need our high attention as well as deeply and serious research.The paper has four chapters. The first chapter discusses some theoretical problems about bilateral FTA, including the definition, history and theoretical basis of bilateral FTA, the differences between bilateral FTA and regional economy integration, the relationship of bilateral FTA and WTO multinational free trade. The second chapter introduces the present situation of China participating in bilateral FTA and the existed problems during the process. The third chapter analyzes the possible benefit China may get from bilateral FTA. The forth chapter suggestes some countermeasures on how China participates in bilateral FTA better and better.