On June 6th, 2004, the 2nd South Asia Summit held in Malbad, Pakistan, put forward the concept of South Asia Free Trade Area for the first time, which included seven foreign ministers, including Bhutan, Nepal, India, Maldives, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with a total population of1400 million, and advocated realizing South Asia by 20 16 years.
This free trade agreement will be recognized by seven countries in South Asia on June 5438+ 10, 2006. Developing countries in South Asia need this free trade agreement. In 2007, they took the lead in reducing tariffs by 20% as the first step, and then reduced tariffs by 20% every year. Until 20 12, they will reach zero tariff. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and other underdeveloped countries can delay the reduction to zero tariffs for three years.
Extended data
Relations with China
On June 5438+065438+ 10, 13, 2005, the SAARC Summit agreed in principle that China should become an observer country. In August 2006, the 27th SAARC Ministerial Council deliberated and adopted the SAARC Observer Guidelines, officially accepted China as an observer, and invited China to attend the 14 SAARC Summit as an observer. In 2007, 2008, 20 10 and 201/year, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Vice Ministers Wu Dawei, Wang Guangya and Zhang Zhijun led delegations to attend 14 to 17 SAARC summits respectively.
20 12 in June, China appointed the ambassador to Nepal as the permanent representative of China to SAARC. China's current permanent representative to SAARC is Ambassador Hou Yanqi. 20 14 1 1, Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin led a delegation to attend 18 SAARC Summit.
China and SAARC have carried out many cooperations in the fields of human resources training, poverty alleviation and disaster relief, economy and trade, humanities exchange, and held seminars for political party cadres and diplomats stationed in South Asia to understand modern China and vocational education officials in South Asia.
20 12 In June, the 7th China-South Asia Business Forum, the 5th South Asian National Commodities Fair and the 20th Kunming Fair were held in Kunming. June 20 13, the first China-South Asia Expo was held in Kunming. SAARC Secretary-General Salim attended and visited China. On June 20 14, SAARC Secretary-General Thapa attended the second China-South Asia Expo.
June 20 16, the 4th China-South Asia Expo was held in Kunming. 2065438+In June 2008, the 5th China-South Asia Expo and the 1st China-South Asia Cooperation Forum were held in Yunnan. Hu Chunhua, Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Mohazik, Second Deputy CEO of Afghan Government, U Tak Tan, Deputy Prime Minister of Viet Nam, and Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Minister of Laos attended relevant activities.
In 20 17, the total trade volume between China and the eight SAARC countries was1267.7 billion USD, up by 14.6% year-on-year. ?
China appreciates and supports SAARC's efforts and achievements in strengthening cooperation among South Asian countries, and hopes that SAARC will play an active role in promoting poverty eradication and common development of South Asian countries and maintaining peace and stability in South Asia. China maintains friendly and cooperative relations with the members of the organization in different fields such as economy and trade. South Asian countries attach great importance to their relations with China, and most of them hope that China will establish ties with SAARC and actively participate in and promote economic cooperation in South Asia.
Baidu Encyclopedia-South Asia Regional Cooperation Alliance