WT/REG442/2  
 
15 March  2022 
(22-2283) Page: 1/7 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  Original: English /Spanish  
 
 
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CHINA AND MAURITIUS  
(GOODS AND SERVICES)  
QUESTIONS AND REPLIES  
 The following communication, dated 9 March  2022, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegations of  China and Mauritius . 
 
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Question from Brazil  
 
1.1.  Paragraph 3.26: In article 3.22, the Parties agreed to establish an Electronic Origin 
Data Exchange System.  
 Could the parties please inform if there is a work schedule to establish such a system 
and also explain ho w it will work?  
 
Response from China  
 
 The Electronic Origin Data Exchange System under the China -Mauritius Free Trade Agreement 
is in development . The relevant filing information , including approved exporters , has been 
exchanged through the contact point of origin under the China -Mauritius Free Trade Agreement.  
 
Response from Mauritius  
 
 Once competent authority approves application for certificate of origin electronically, details 
of the certificate of origin are transmitted  onto authorized dedicated website address for online 
validity check by importers/importing authority.  Development for online check on Approved Exporter 
Authorization Numbers  will be undertaken as next enhancement to the exchange.  
 
Question from Canada  
 
1.2.  Article 7.6.1 on Most -Favoured Nation provides that parties shall accord MFN 
treatment to one another except with regard to MFN exemptions under the GATS. 
However, Article 7.6.2 provides that preferential treatment from existing and future 
agreements shall not be provided to the other party on an MFN basis, and Article 7.6.3 
provides that such preferential treatment shall be negotiated at the request of the other 
party.  
 What is the benefit of the MFN obligation under the China -Mauritius agree ment?  
 
Response from China  
 
 It ensures that the services and service providers of the parties have  preferential treatment 
in a fair manner . 
 
 
 
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  Response from Mauritius  
 
 This is a standard non -discrimination principle which applies under the WTO and which has 
been replicated in the FTA. The objective is to ensure fair treatment and that there is no 
discrimination in the treatment given to each other 's service providers, as opposed to treatment 
extended to non -parties service providers.   
 
Questions from the European Union  
 
Provisions on trade in goods  
 
Regulatory provisions on trade in goods  
 
Customs -related procedures  
 
1.3.  "Section 3.5.3: In relation to trade facilitation the Parties shall simplify, to the 
greatest extent possible, procedures for trade in goods, and to promote multilateral 
cooperation to enhance their participation in the development and implementation of 
international conventions and recommendations on trade facilitation (Article 2.11). They 
have also agreed to cooperate on tr ade facilitation within the framework of the 
China -Mauritius Free Trade Area Joint Commission ("the FTA Joint Commission")1 in the 
implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
Section 3.5.4 The Parties have agreed to undertake cooperation and mutual 
administrative assistance in Article 2.12, the Parties have agreed to try to make 
arrangements regarding customs cooperation and mutual administrative assistance 
within their respective domestic laws and regulations."  
The paragraph o n customs related procedures is not very much detailed and does not 
indicate for example, whether bilaterally China and Mauritius will commit beyond the WTO 
TFA agreement. If this is the case, could China and Mauritius detail whether their 
cooperation will  go beyond the WTO TFA and if so in which areas?  
a. Could China and Mauritius indicate if they have agreed to specific bilateral 
cooperation and in this context what are the objectives sought?  
Response from Mauritius  
 
 We have not yet agreed to specific bil ateral cooperation. However, in the context of the FTA 
Joint Commission, detailed discussions could be held in areas where China could assist and support 
Mauritius to implement the WTO TFA where support has not yet been forthcoming and even go 
beyond.  
 
b. Could also China indicate if any assistance is to be provided to Mauritius?  
Response from China  
 
 At present, the negotiation of the China -Mauritius C ustoms  Cooperation  and Mutual 
Administrative Assistance Agreement  is underway between the customs authoritie s of both Parties.  
 
Provisions on trade in services and investment  
 
General provisions on trade in services  
 
National treatment and MFN  
 
1.4.  "Paragraph 4.13. : In Article 7.6 the Parties have agreed to accord immediately and 
unconditionally, in respect of all measures affecting the supply of services, to services and 
service suppliers of the other Party treatment no less favourable than it accords to like 
 
1 As established under Article 14.1 of the Agreement (Establishment of the China -Mauritius 
Free Trade Area Joint Commission) . WT/REG442/2  
 
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  servic es and service suppliers of a non -Party[1]. However, any such treatment granted 
under other existing or future agreements concluded by a Party and notified to the WTO 
under Article V or Article V bis of the GATS shall not be subject to paragraph 1."  
 Could the Parties clarify what kind of agreements would be captured by the MFN 
provisions described in paragraph 4.13?  
 
Response from China  
 
 The MFN provisions cover agreements excluding those concluded pursuant to Article V or 
Article V bis of the GATS.  
 
Response from Mauritius  
 
 This is a standard non -discrimination principle which applies under the WTO and which has 
been replicated in the FTA. However, any commitment on services taken by the Parties under any 
PTA or FTA or any other trade arrangement w ith other Parties will not be automatically extended. 
For instance, the commitments of Mauritius under the SADC Protocol on Services or the AfCFTA will 
not be covered.   
 
Questions from Indonesia  
 
Trade Environment  
 
1.5.  Based on statistics presented in the fact ual presentation of the WTO Secretariat, 
China's commercial services trade with Mauritius consists mainly of transportation and 
other business services as well as, at another level, travel services.  
a. Could China and Mauritius provide the details of the main economic activities and 
the types of services included in this trade?  
Response from China  
 
 With respect to transport services, China has included maritime transport services (including 
international freight and passenger transport), auxiliary services ( cargo handling  and customs 
declaration, etc.), in ternal  water ways transport , air transport, rail transport, road transport and 
services auxiliary to all modes of transport. With respect to other business  services, China has 
included adv ertising services, management consulting services, etc. With respect to tourism 
services, China has included services such as hotels and restaurants, travel agencies and tour 
operators.  
 
Response from Mauritius  
 
 Trade in services data by country breakdown  is not compiled.  
 
b. Given the nature of China's economy and trade in services with Mauritius, could 
China describe what services sectors are expected to gain benefit most from this 
agreement?  
Response from China  
 
 The China -Mauritius Free Trade Agreement c overs a wide range of service sectors . All relevant 
service sectors will benefit from the revised and optimized specific commitments. Such as financial, 
environmental, transport and business services.  
 
1.6.  In Chapter 7 -Annex -C of TCM Cooperation, it is stated that "Mauritius and China are 
committed to strengthening cooperation in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine 
(herein after referred to as "TCM") services, as well as trade in TCM and complementary 
medicines".  
a. What are the current priorities in these areas/activities of the collaboration?  WT/REG442/ 2 
 
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  Response from China  
 
 China will continue support ing China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and other 
institutions in carrying out TCM cooperation with Mauritius.  
 
Response from Mauritius  
 
 We have not yet a greed on any specific priorities. However, in the context of the FTA Joint 
Commission, detailed discussions could be held with regard to possible areas of cooperation.  
 
 The idea is to provide the whole range of medical treatment in Mauritius given that we  ambition 
to develop medical tourism as an important pillar of our economy.  
 
b. What sub -sectors of services have potential to be include in the SoCs?  
Response from China  
 
 At present, there is no such sub -sectors of services under consideration .  
 
Response from Mauritius  
 
 This is an issue that could be raised in the context of the FTA Joint Commission should there 
be a demand.  
 
1.7.  Article 7. 1.4 states that "New services shall be considered for possible incorporation 
in to the Chapter ". Then in the next sentence, it is stated that matters relating to the 
Annex on Air Transport Services will follow the results of the multilateral negotiations.  
 What sub -sectors of Air Transport Services would be added to the agreement in the 
future, con sidering that currently both China and Mauritius have included the Air 
Transport Sector in their respective SoCs.  
 
Response from China  
 
 China and Mauritius will determine the potential sub -sectors of Air Transport Services to be 
included in the FTA through negotiation and consultation, based on the development needs of civil 
aviation in both countries and the negotiation outcomes in relevant areas of the International Air 
Transport Agreement.  
 
Response from Mauritius  
 
 Under Air Transport Services, Mauritius covered Computer reservation systems as defined in 
the GATS Annex on Air transport services ; Selling and marketing of air transport services as defined 
in the GATS Annex on Air Transport Services ; and Maintenance and repair aircraft as defined in  the 
Annex on Air Transport Services  while China covered Aircraft repair and maintenance services  and 
Computer Reservation System services . 
 
 This is an issue that could be raised in the context of the FTA Joint Commission. There is a 
possibility to discus s speciality air services, air services for irrigation, amongst others.  
 
1.8.  Based on Article 7.9.4, it is stated that "The Parties will also ensure that their 
relevant professional bodies negotiate and conclude, as soon as the date of entry into 
force of the Agreement, any such agreement or arrangement providing mutual recognition 
of the education or experience obtained, qualification requirements and procedures and 
licensing requirements and procedures ".  
 Given the diversity of the professional services sect or that requires certificates, 
licenses and other recognition, is there a list related to the professional service sector 
that have the Mutual Recognition facility in this agreement?  
 
 
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  Response from China  
 
 Such relevant list is not yet available.  
 
Response from Mauritius  
 
 Not for the time being . 
 
1.9.  Paragraph 4.29 states that China has lifted some restrictions on Mode 3 for the 
Distribution Services Sector. However, China still requires Joint Venture (JV) in this  
sector.  
 Could China elaborate the restrictions that are being removed?  
 
Response from China  
 
 In distribution services sector, China has gradually liberalized market access, foreign equity 
ratios, geographical or quantitative restrictions and other restrictions have been removed, with the 
exception of a few specific areas.  
 
1.10.   Related to MNP, in Paragraph 4.3.5 Mauritius opens the categories of ICT, CSS, 
Independent Professional with no restrictions and Business Visitor with a visit limit of 120 
days. B ut on the other hand, China only opens BV, Managers and CSS with certain 
limitations in each category. Regarding this matter:  
a. Why did China not open the Independent Professional category?  
b. Why is the duration of stay given by Mauritius to MNP longer than Ch ina's?  
Response from China to questions 1.10.a. and b.  
 
 The China -Mauritius Free Trade Agreement is reached between the two parties based on 
respective national conditions . The overall categories and levels  opening to each other are balanced 
for both parties . The specific arrangements could be different.  
 
Response from Mauritius  
 
This is already provided for in the law.  
Liberalization commitments  
1.11.   Based on Paragraph 4.30, the coverage and depth of China commitment in this 
Agreement is greater than the commitment in the GATS. However, there are still certain 
limitations. Based on the table, China's commitment to the financial services sector has 
increased compared to the commitment to the GATS.  
 Can China explain on what improvements have been made in the financial services 
sector?  
 
Response from China  
 
 In the China -Mauritius Free Trade Agreement, both the coverage and depth of China's 
commitments in the financial services sector have been further extended . For example, in insurance 
and related  services, eligible Mauritian investors are allowed to engage in insurance agency business 
and loss adjustment  business in China . The business scope of Mauritian insurance brok erage 
company  is the same as  Chinese  insurance brokerage company  and the busines s scope and market 
access  have been further broadened.  
 
1.12.   Both parties have made relatively open commitments on Telecommunication 
services. However, no dedicated chapter nor annex for telecommunication services 
currently present within the structure of the a greement.  WT/REG442/ 2 
 
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   Is it possible to get any explanations from both of parties on this issue?  
 
Response from China  
 
 Please refer to ATTACHMENT 1: Reference Paper for Telecommunications in the SCHEDULES 
OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS ON TRADE IN SERVICES of China.  
 
Response from Mauritius  
 
 During negotiations, both parties agreed on what has been scheduled in our Schedule of 
Commitments. We did not feel the need of including a separate chapter or annex on 
telecommunications services.  
 
Questions from Japan  
 
Provision s on trade in goods  
 
Rules of origin  
 
1.13.   Paragraph 3.24: In the current situation, how many approved exporters are there 
in each country?  
Response from Mauritius  
 
 Currently, w e have no approved exporter under the Mauritius -China  FTA. Awareness on 
Approved Exporter facility is ongoing  to derive full benefit of the Agreement.  
 
1.14.   Paragraph 3.26: Has "EODES" already been developed and introduced under this 
agreement?  
Response from China to questions 1.13. and 1.14.  
 
 The EODES under the China -Mauritius F ree Trade Agreement is in development . The relevant 
filing information , including approved exporters , has been exchanged through the contact point of 
origin under the China -Mauritius Free Trade Agreement.  
 
Response from Mauritius to question 1.14.  
 
 The ex change system in place provides for  online check  of certificate of origin, through 
authorized dedicated website address.  Development for online check on Approved Exporter 
Authorization Numbers will be  undertaken as next enhancement to the exchange.  
 
Questi ons from Mexico  
 
1.15.   Paragraph 4.26: Under the Agreement, China has mostly reproduced its GATS 
schedule of concessions and commitments, with improvements by way of some new fully 
committed sub -sectors and a small number of access improvements to already -commit ted 
sectors.  
 In the case of China, has it improved, modified or included commitments related to 
telecommunication services under the Agreement? If so, what would they  be? 
 
Response from China  
 
 China has included the commitments related to telecommunication services in the section C. 
Telecommunication of the SCHEDULES OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS ON TRADE IN SERVICES of 
China . 
 
1.16.   Paragraph 5.31: If a Party grants monopoly rights regarding the supply of a service 
covered by its specific commitments after the date of entry into force of the Agreement, 
it is obliged to notify the other Party three months before the intended implementa tion of 
the monopoly rights, and the provisions of Article 7.22 on Modification of Schedules will WT/REG442/2  
 
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  apply. Article  7.14 also applies to cases of exclusive service suppliers if a Party authorizes 
or establishes a small number of service suppliers and substant ially prevents competition 
among such suppliers in its territory (Article 7.14.5).  
 Since the entry into force of the Agreement to date, have any of the parties notified 
the granting of monopoly rights for the supply of services in the telecommunications 
sector or for the provision of broadcast or online audiovisual content services?  
 
Response from China  
 
 Since the entry into force of the agreement, no such situation has occurred in the sectors of 
telecommunications, broadcasting and Internet audio -visual services.   
 
Provisions on trade in services and investment  
 
Scope and definitions  
 
1.17.   Under Article 7.2.4, new services shall be considered for possible incorporation into 
the Chapter.  
 Mexico would like to know what these new services might be.  
 
Response from Mauritius  
 
 It is difficult to say at this juncture, but there are certainly emerging new services in the 
financial and digital technology areas which could be considered in the FTA Joint Commission on a 
demand basis.  
 
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