RTAs and Trade in Education Services in China

Regional trade agreements (RTAs) are a prominent feature of current multilateral trading system (MTS), which are more preferential trade arrangements between the parties involved in the agreements than the others not involved in. RTAs are being adopted by many World Trade Organisation (WTO) Members as their important trade policy instruments. The commitments of RTAs usually go further than the existing WTO commitments in scope and depth. China has signed some RTAs and many RTAs with China have been under negotiations. Due to the diversity of trade liberalization, especially the complex nature of education services, more attention should be given to the development of RTAs and trade in education services. This paper explores RTAs and trade in education services in China. In analyzing trade agreements which China has signed and is under negotiation, our study aims to find that, under RTAs, the commitments of education services have limited implications on Chinese educational policy of the secondary education and below the secondary education. Furthermore, research will reflect that educational policies concerning Chinese higher education, vocational education, adult education and language training have had an impact. It is anticipated that other commitments of existing trade agreements with China will provide more market opportunities under RTAs rather than under the WTO. Since different trade partners provide different market opportunities, the policy makers of the education institutions should recognize potential impacts before signing agreements.