Author: care of Yu, Li Yuyu
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae -in have been determined to participate in the 8th China -Japan -Korea Leaders Summit held in Chengdu, Sichuan on December 24 this year.Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the cooperation between China, Japan and South Korea, it is also visiting China after visiting China on October 25, 2018.The background of Abe's visit to China this time is more complicated than last year, and it also means that Abe's visit to China has a significant significance for China -Japan relations, and even the situation in East Asia.
Japanese Free Trade Agreement Year
This year, it is undoubtedly a year of free trade agreement to Japan. Facing the trend of global protectionism, the three major free trade agreements have made Japan very active on the international stage.In February of this year, Japan's MDASH; EU Economic Partner Agreement (JAPAN-EUU ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEEMENT (also known as the Japan-Europe Free Trade Agreement) took effect.In the past half a year, the Japan -Europe trade has risen against the trend under the increase in downward pressure on the global economy. The growth of imports and exports to Europe in the first three quarters of Japan has exceeded 7%.
The second is the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) that has just completed all chapter negotiations in November. Now only after reviewing legal texts in various countries, it can be signed in 2020. This is undoubtedly a major economic cooperation in the ASEAN and Asia -Pacific regions.breakthrough.Although India finally withdrawn from this world's largest free trade agreement, Japan is still trying to persuade India to return to RCEP.
The third free trade agreement is the China -Japan -Korea Free Trade Agreement that has received much attention.The agreement that has been negotiated for 7 years has just completed the 16th round of negotiations in South Korea last month, and RCEP negotiations are likely to be a catalyst for the China -Japan -South Korea's free trade agreement negotiations.Value free trade agreement, excavate the new economic growth points of the three countries.
At the upcoming Sino -Japanese and Korean Leadership Summit, the China -Japan -Korea Free Trade Agreement will inevitably be discussed.Compared with RCEP, China, Japan and South Korea have a higher level of economic development, more comprehensive industrial departments, and higher levels of openness.China should prepare a specific detailed tax reduction plan in advance. At that time, the plan is presented to the Japanese and Korean leaders to discuss it.The high enthusiasm of the agreement, the good opportunity of RCEP just completed the negotiations and the results of the 16th round of negotiations, prompted the China -Japan -Korea Free Trade Agreement to achieve a substantial breakthrough.
Invite Japan to participate in the way
In addition, unlike South Korea participated in the Belt and Road Initiative as early as 2015, Japan was always hesitant to join. The reason is that after Japan was worried about participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, Japanese companies and Japanese personnel participated in low degree of participation and signing a memorandum to become a memorandum.A symbolic behavior has no practical significance.At the same time, Japan is worried that it will cause the so -called debt trap to the investment target country, and worry that the infrastructure activities of investment projects will damage the local environment, but will damage Japan's international reputation.It can be seen that Japan is very concerned about what they can do after joining the Belt and Road, what benefits can the Belt and Road bring to Japan.
During Abe's visit to China, China should show Japan more specific methods to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative to Japan.Faced with Japan's questioning of debt and environmental protection, China will actively invite Japanese companies and Japanese people to participate in the Belt and Road projects, using the advanced engineering technology of Japan and the rich risk management experience of the Asian Bank, and strictly control the quality of the project.While ensuring the participation of Japanese companies and Japanese people, it also guarantees the reputation of Japanese standards.
The overall downward pressure of the world economy this year has increased, and Japan has a very high enthusiasm in the topic of the free trade agreement.Cooperating with the advancement of the free trade agreement, regional cooperation and overseas investment have once again become greatly attractive to Japan.Coupled with the continuous recovery of Sino -Japanese relations, China should seize this good opportunity and promote China, Japan and South Korea to reach a free trade agreement as soon as possible.This can not only improve the international influence of East Asia again, but also dig new growth points for the economic development of the three countries.
(Guan Zhaoyu is an associate researcher at Renmin University of China Chongyang Financial Research Institute and Li Yuyu as an internship researcher)
