Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng on Thursday responded to recent development of the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), saying China is open to any trade agreements that are "compatible" with rules established by the WTO, and conducive to regional economic integration.
Gao dismissed claims that the US and China are competing to set trade rules in the region. Gao said the vast Pacific Ocean can hold both countries and China is willing to further cooperate with the US under multilateral trade frameworks to set up trade rules.
Gao said China is a main participant in multilateral trade agreements.
China has signed 14 trade accords and is still in talks with countries including TPP members, Gao noted.
China, Japan and South Korea will hold the ninth round of trilateral free trade zone negotiations in Japan in December, a ministry official said Thursday.
