11 FTAs become main China auto export market

The Chinese government is currently discussing with 11 free trade zones, covering 28 countries and regions, accounting for one quarter of China's total trade. By April 2007, motor vehicles and parts import tariffs in some parts of the ASEAN Free Trade Area decreased significantly. For example, the tariff in Thailand and Malaysia was 10% to 80% in 2003 and dropped to 5% to 12% in 2007.

International Division of the Ministry of Commerce officials told reporters in the 2007 Forum on China's exports of commercial vehicles, that apart from China-ASEAN, China-Pakistan, China-Chile FTA, China and the GCC free trade zone is expected to have negotiation within1 or 2 years. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which covers the richest six countries in Middle East, basically speaking these countries do not have their own automobile industry, car imports is very open and welcomed. Middle East as the main vehicles for export markets in the world is good news for Chinese auto makers.