Korea eyes opportunities in China's growing service market

"The follow-up FTA negotiations with China will provide an important opportunity to get ahead in China's fast growing service market and improve the South Korean service industry's competitiveness," Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong said in a release ahead of the meeting. "The government will step up efforts to open markets in major areas, including tourism, culture, legal and medical services, and create a stable business environment."

China has been reducing its focus on manufacturing to restructure itself toward a more service-oriented economy. China's service industry weighed in at $5.6 trillion in 2016, becoming the world's second-biggest market.

Since South Korean companies have grappled with non-trade barriers like investment restrictions and regulations, industry experts expressed hope that follow-up negotiations would pave the way for easier access to a market of 1.4 billion Chinese consumers.

"The government should draw up its negotiation strategy for the service and investment area based on accurate understanding of the Chinese system and regulations through close communications with businesses," said Kim Young-joo, president of the Korea International Trade Association.

Local companies stressed the importance of the Chinese government's transparency and consistency in implementing regulations on foreign companies and investors to create a stable business environment regardless of the diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Last year, South Korean retailers and tourism agencies suffered from weak sales and unfavorable sentiment in China over Seoul's deployment of an American missile system, which has soured two-way relations and triggered a boycott of South Korean-made goods.

Provincial Chinese governments also banned the sale of group tours to Seoul, seen as retaliation against the installation of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery. The move has dealt a harsh blow to local duty-free shops as Chinese tourists were their main customers. 

The trade ministry said it will reflect on the opinions of industry officials from various sectors when submitting its FTA negotiation plan to the National Assembly, before launching official talks with China, although it did not elaborate on specific schedules. 

On Friday, Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon will meet with He Lifeng, chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission, to discuss ways to step up economic cooperation and boost trade between the two nations. (Yonhap)