CHINA'S MULTILATERAL ENGAGEMENT: EMPOWERING CHINA'S COMMERCIAL DIPLOMACY TOWARD THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ASEAN-CHINA FREE TRADE AREA (ACFTA), 2000-2010

Abstract

The establishment of ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) is a prominent achievement executed by China and ASEAN countries to deal and commit together under the FTA mechanism. This multilateral free trade also categorized as the largest multilateral FTA in terms of population which represents that this FTA is very potential for China.s market in transferring its huge products to ASEAN market. Commercial diplomacy is actively executed by China.s government in negotiating the FTA mechanism with ASEAN countries. This research analyzes the use of commercial diplomacy that has implemented by Beijing.s government through multilateral engagement under ACFTA proposal until then this FTA officially implemented by January 1st, 2010. This research also focuses in analyzing China.s strategic interests through the establishment of ACFTA. In supporting this research, the writer applies the theory of neo-liberalism as the main IR theory in interpreting the case and the research also relies on commercial diplomacy as the operational concept in determining this research.