Formal or Informal? The Dispute Settlement Mechanisms of China's Free Trade Agreements

The dispute settlement mechanism(DSM) has long been the focus of attention because of its significant role in the institutional construction of China's free trade agreements(FTAs). Thus, this paper is to make an analysis of the DSMs of China's established FTAs from a legal perspective of international regime study, which leads to the finding of a co-existence mode of formal and informal DSMs in China's FTAs. This paper also discusses the motivation and significance of such a choice.

China's Free Trade Agreements with ASEAN,Japan and Korea:A Comparative Analysis

The role of China in East Asia ＇s recovery from the recent global finaneial and economic crisis highlights China ＇s position as an engine of growth for this region. From the viewpoint of China, there are many potential gains from entering into free trade agreements （FTAs） with its neighbors, who collectively form a large and fast-growing market. In this paper, we qualitatively and quantitatively assess the four main permutations of China＇s FTAs with East Asian major economies： China-ASEAN, China-Japan, China-Korea and ASEAN＋ 3. We compare the effects of these FTAs on China ＂s output and welfare. Our comparative analysis shows that China will gain from all three bilateral FTAs, while gaining the most from the ASEAN＋ 3. Because forming a region-wide FTA, such as the ASEAN＋ 3, is expected to be gradual and difficult, China shouM continue to engage in bilateral FTAs as a mediumterm and alternative strategy. However, in the long term, China should pursue a regionwide FTA.

The Dos and Don’ts of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement Pose the Ghana’s Maritime Industry Vis-A-Vis Its National Industrialization Drive

The direct and indirect immensely contributions of free trade blocs/single market integration to the steadilygrowth of developed emergence and least developed economies are unmeasurable. The increasing insatiable demand and approval of the free trade model by almost all of the six continents to enhance their economic development has proved that its benefits have indeed outweighed the challenges. Therefore, this research just like the other internationally recognised literatures on this market system, intends to analysis the impacts of the important/dos, don’ts, opportunities, prospects and other important factors of the recent AU member States unanimously endorsement of AfFCTA’s implementation, will have on Ghana’s maritime industry. The possible quantitative findings in this study do uphold its immensely potential benefits impact on the African and Ghana’s maritime industry development and at the same time, indicate an irresistible gap pertaining to the downward progress of its implementation within the sector. These findings have apparently revealed that loss of revenue from scrapping off customs tariffs carries the highest percentage of all the challenges facing AfCFTA’s implementation and recommend that there must be an effective investment-oriented measures-FDI in harnessing the opportunities and prospects embedded in AfCFTA so as to accelerate Ghana’s maritime industry development in its implementation process.

Impact of openness, economic policy reform and regional shocks on trade and growth of Thailand： An econometric study

Thailand has currently enhanced and promoted intensive trade and investment liberalization and implemented long-term growth policy according with current regional economic integration, WTO obligations and globalization. Nevertheless, several recent internal and external factors e.g. the massive SARS and avian flu outbreaks, the Indian Ocean tsunami devastation, the Asia financial crisis and domestic policy reforms （ICSEAD, 2006） have also impeded this policy. While the issues are important for Thailand and developing countries in Asia, only limited research has been undertaken to investigate them. The paper conducts a substantive quantitative study to contribute to these trade and development policy issues. A new econometric modelling policy method, namely the generalized gravity theory （Tran Van Hoa, 2004） is used to develop a simple flexible simultaneous-equation econometric model of Thailand＇s openness model with its seven major trade partners （ASEAN-4, Australia, the USA, the EU, China, Japan and India）. Using data from the ICSEAD, the World Development Indicators and the Bank of Thailand databases, the paper reveals efficient and reliable empirical findings on trade-growth causality, trade determination including the impact of shocks and policy reform on trade and growth between Thailand and its major trade partners over the past two decades. The paper also provides evidence on the linkages between trade in goods, FDI and services and regional economic integration for more credible policy implications.

Macroeconomic and Social Impacts of Economic Partnership Agreements on Ivorian Economy： A New Assessment

This study reassesses the macroeconomic and social impacts of Economic Partnership Agreements （EPAs） on Ivorian economy using Computable General Equilibrium （CGE） model with positive externalities of public investment in education, health, and economic infrastructure. Previous studies highlight negative effect of these agreements stressing particularly on losses in government revenues due to the removal of all tariffs on imports. This analysis aims to provide some insight into this question by refreshing the debate to show how this situation could be transformed into opportunities for Ivory Coast in order to promote growth and reduce poverty. To do so, this study postulates that government spending （investment） in economic infrastructure （roads, bridges, communication network, etc.）, in education and health sectors produces positive externalities in each industry. This assumption has not been set anymore in previous studies. Simulation results reveal that, despite this decline in government revenues, if it invests in economic infrastructure, health and education sector, EPAs will generate more revenue for government due to the rise in income tax on firms and households, and tax on overall production. Furthermore, household income will increase which will in turn stimulate （final） consumption. There won＇t also be a decline in economic growth.

CEFTA as Trade Agreement and Its Role in Its Countries＇ Economic Development and E.U. Integration （Case of Albania）

CEE （Central Eastern European） region comprises a group of countries at a relatively similar stage of economic development and with the common objective of becoming member of EU. The size of the market has pushed CEE countries to find ways towards a larger market. Joint forces, into free trade agreements, have contributed to their economic growth and European Integration. How did it happened, and what are the consequences of free trade agreements, under the example of Albania, it has been studied and analyzed, through data collections from different sources like the WB, IMF, National Banks, business round table discussions, etc.. Among all the free trade agreements CEFTA has shown to be the most effective. Central European Free Trade Agreement, CEFTA, since 2006, has been a tool to businesses making the rules and regulations governing trade in the European Region. It has contributed to make trade simpler and increasingly harmonized all procedures with those of the EU and the WTO （World Trade Organization）. As a conclusion, CEFTA experience has shown to have improved considerably business ability of developing European economies, to trade with the EU countries and the world. CEFTA has created an attractive market for investments while before the market in the Region was fragmented and unattractive to important investments, has promoted growth, and contributed to job creation. Albania is a recent success of it.

Possible Chinese Strategic Responses to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

Negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership （TPP） Agreement have concluded, but the TPP still must be ratified by each of the 12 member countries. China is the world＇s second largest economy and yet it has not joined the TPP. This has provoked much debate in China as to the best strategic approach to the TPP This paper analyzes China＇s possible strategy for the TPP agreement. We make three key points. First, the security of market access should be China＇s main concern in any free-trade agreement negotiations, regrettably, it is not included in TPP. The second point is that the present TPP agreement is somewhat diminished from its ambitious original claims. We suggest four strategies for China. The first is to promote the development of China＇s remaining regional and bilateral free trade agreements （FTAs）. The second is to negotiate a bilateral FTA with the United States. The third is to promote deep domestic reforms via enlarged TPP coverage. The last is negotiating entrance to the entering do not worsen. TPP as soon as possible so that terms of

An assessment of China-Japan-Korea Free Trade Agreement＇s economic and environmental impacts on China

Recently, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea （Korea） are conducting a government-commis- sioned feasibility study on the Free Trade Agreement among the three countries （CJKFTA） to form a regional free trade zone in East Asia. Considering that freer trade can cause unexpected impact on domestic environment, there is a need to evaluate the environmental impact of such a trade policy. This move should be made to help negotiators understand and pay more attention to environ- mental issues during CJKFTA negotiations, and to help lobby with the government to carry out appropriate policy instruments for adaptation or mitigation. Following the Chain Reaction Assessment Method that integrates and links the elements of trade, production, and environment, the present research aims to quantitatively assess CJKFTA＇s possible impact on China＇s environment. This is done by estimating the variations of China＇s major conventional pollutants and greenhouse gases （GHGs） emission in two policy scenarios to represent CJKFTA＇s scale and composition effects on China＇s environment. Estimating the variations is based on a static Computable General Equilibrium model, working with Global Trade Analysis Project （GTAP） 7 database and China＇s energy- environment statistics. Based on these assessments, CJKFTA is predicted to lead to notable environmental impact, including increased emissions of agricultural total nitrogen, agricultural total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand, and GHGs. On the other hand, decreased emissions of industrial SO2 and dust are also expected to happen. Suitable policies need to be made to combat negative effects and amplify positive ones, while aiming at a more sustainable regional freer trade system.

Would a North-South Free Trade Agreement Hurt Unskilled Labor in the North？

I present a simple model to examine the impact of international outsourcing on the welfare of skilled and unskilled labor. In this model, specialized business services are to facilitate manufacturing production, creating additional welfare gains in the presence of positive production externalities. Policies that favor the business service sector contribute to the development of a larger bundle of specialized business services, generating more welfare gains to not only skilled but also unskilled labor. Thus, a country＇s unskilled labor is not necessarily worse off with open trade if the country is prosperous in business service provisions.

Collective Action and Networks in Civil Society： The Case of South Korea＇s Protest Movement

The Free Trade Agreement （FTA） was nearly ratified by United States and South Korea countries＇ administrations and can be described as a network of transnational trade. However, the candlelight protests have been held that network was set between the individuals of the South Korean society as a reaction against the FTA and Korean government, The network was the results of a new method of amassing power which comparing past protest in South Korea, and it was able to deal a severe blow to the ongoing FTA negotiations. In this paper, we will be using the actor-network theory （ANT） set forth by Law （1992） and Latour （2005） to explain Korean candlelight protest situations. A key claim is that ANT must range beyond studies of science and technology to other ＂social＂ subjects because it raises much broader questions about the construction of the social and nature. Therefore, this paper focused more on how the public opinion was aggregate in the social process, rather than the result. And we can see that the role of non-human actors is highly important. Through this attempt the citizen can reveal undisclosed information and get power to have communication with the government.

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and Trans-Pacific Partnership： Policy Options of China

As a result of deadlocked multilateral trade negotiations, many countries have embarked on the establishment of bilateral and regional trade agreements. Using the Global Trade Analysis Project database and a computable general equilibrium model, our paper focuses on the impacts of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership （TTIP） and the Trans- Pacific Partnership （TPP） on the Chinese economy under three scenarios. The results suggest that when only the TTIP is realized, Chinese economic variables are negatively affected. When both the TTIP and the TPP are realized and China is excluded, the combined damage to the Chinese economy is higher than the damage with the TTIP alone. However, the inclusion of China in the TPP has a positively effect on economic variables in China. This indicates that the impacts of China ＇s participation in the TPP compensate for the negative impacts of the TTIP. Therefore, China should consider being part of the TPP to offset the negative impacts of the TTIP.

Emergence of ASEAN,China and India and the Regional Architecture

The rise of ASEAN, China and India as economic powers is of great significance to regional as well as global economic development. Although their ascendance in the global economy will continue, they will have to go to great pains to meet the new challenges. Considering ASEAN, China and India as a group, due to their differences in economic development levels, economic structures and policy concern priorities, it is difficult for them to formulate a unifiedposition on a range of global issues. ASEAN, China and India must foster an open, transparent and efficient regional as well as global environment. They need to cooperate in designing the architecture to ensure regional as well as global freer trade and investmen, and more stable finance, and to play more active roles in future global governance and rulemaking.

An Evaluation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement:Market Access and Trading Rules

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP)agreement was signed on November15,2020.This marks the formal conclusion of the world's largest free tradeagreement in terms of population and economic scale.The RCEPagreement covers new liberalization commitments in goods,services,investment,and movement of natural persons,and addresses some emerging behind-the-border trade issues,to forge more transparent,open,and inclusive trade rules.Its aim is to build a comprehensive,modern,inclusive,and high-quality free trade agreement.This paper summarizes the framework and highlights of the RCEP agreement,measures the extent of tariff reduction from various perspectives,makes a quantitative assessment of the level of service trade liberalization of the member states adopting positive list commitments,and makes an in-depth analysis of trade rules and provisions in the RCEP agreement.Furthermore,this paper also makes a comprehensive comparison of main provisions among the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership,RCEP,and US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.The paper concludes with policy recommendations for Chinatopromote the implementationof the RCEPagreement.

China-Gulf Economic Relationship under the“Belt and Road”Initiative

In recent years,the trade volume between China and six GCC countries has risen substantially,and with these commercial relations,China has become a major economic partner for the GCC.This article analyzes the economics of China-GCC economic interdependence.It begins with an analysis of the features of the political economic relationship,focusing on energy,trade,investment,and infrastructure and construction projects.It then discusses the process of formalizing these relationships through the ongoing negotiation of the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement.It then examines how this economic relationship can intensify through GCC cooperation in China’s“Belt and Road”Initiative.