The Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement was signed in Chongqing on 29 June 2010 by the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), chairman Chen Yunlin, and the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), chairman Chiang Pin-kung, in quadruplicate, two copies for each Party. The authentic text is Chinese; the corresponding wording of the four copies carries the same meaning. It is not the intellectual-property protection agreement signed the same day, nor a WTO accession instrument.

The preamble: WTO principles, the gradual reduction of barriers to trade and investment, taking account of the Parties’ economic conditions. Article 1: to strengthen economic cooperation, further liberalise trade in goods and services and establish a cooperation mechanism. Article 2, at framework level: gradually reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers to a substantial majority of goods, reducing restrictions in services, and providing investment protection. Tariff lists and rules of origin are not transcribed.

Articles 3–5: consultations, no later than six months after entry into force, on subsequent agreements on goods, services and investment. Article 6: cooperation including intellectual property, finance, customs, e-commerce and small and medium-sized enterprises. Articles 7–8: the Early Harvest programme in the annexes, still at framework level, without transcribing products or sectors.

Article 9: exception measures consistent with WTO rules. Article 10: consultations on dispute-settlement procedures. Article 11: a Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Committee, meeting semi-annually. Article 15: it enters into force on the day following the date on which both Parties have received written notification that the relevant procedures have been completed. Article 16: termination with consultations within 30 days; failing consensus, on the 180th day from the notice.

Cover: the Great Hall of the People in Chongqing, the city of signature; we do not claim the hall. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement; Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (MOEA).