Keywords
Clause depth
Database construction
Agreement text
Submitted : 2025-08-13
Accepted : 2025-08-28
Published : 2025-09-12
Abstract
This paper analyzes the text of 3261 clauses of 20 RTAs signed by China, classifies them into 52 policy areas according to the international mainstream HMS method, and assigns them through coding. The clause depth of China’s RTAs is measured across three-dimensional systems (policy areas, clauses, and core clauses) and two generations of trade policy areas (WTO+, WTO-X, and all policy areas). It is observed that China’s RTAs exhibit greater depth in Industrial Products, Agricultural Products, TBT, Antidumping, Countervailing, and Investment, while showing comparatively less depth in Fiscal Policy, Innovation Policies, and related areas.
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