Major target

China has been a major target of trade remedy cases worldwide during the past two years, launched particularly by the United States and the European Union.

Before China and Peru initiated FTA talks in 2008, Peru annually launched "two to three" trade remedy cases against China, but now, there are "none", Zhu said.

In early February, China and Switzerland embarked on an FTA feasibility study, and China-Costa Rica FTA negotiations ended last month.

But FTA talks with developed nations are always "more complicated" as "more issues are at stake", Zhu said.

China and Australia began FTA in May 2005. Although the two sides have yet to reach a consensus, the ministry revealed on Monday that "substantive progress" had taken place in the talks.

China-South Korea FTA talks remain in limbo although an earlier feasibility study has shown that an FTA will benefit both sides.