China to accelerate free-trade negotiations

The Ministry of Commerce plans to step up the pace of its free trade arrangements with partner countries that offer what it called a high degree of transparency, openness and inclusiveness to the world economy.

Noting the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership on Thursday, which does not include China, a ministry statement said: "China is studying it, and evaluation work is under way."

Twelve nations including the United States and Japan signed the TPP in New Zealand on Thursday.