CHINA'S INTEREST IN INITIATING THE ASEAN-CHINA FREE TRADE AREA

This journal examines ASEAN as one of the regions that has a strategic path in China's trade. This journal aims to describe and analyze China's reasons behind its initiation in creating the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area agreement. China as one of the super power countries certainly wants to show it and make it the number one country that bears the status of a super power country. That way China can easily dominate the ASEAN economic market and China's economy will increase. This study uses qualitative research methods, such as literature study and triangulation to collect data. Descriptive-analytical approach was used to collect and analyze the data. This research analysis uses the theory of national interest and foreign policy to examine how China can fulfill its national interest in economic trade through foreign policy as "action theory" or "tools". China can be said to have quality and cheaper prices than China. That way, it will be easier for China to dominate the market. Because basically a country cannot stand alone, they will continue to invite the surrounding region, especially ASEAN in this context which is indeed a strategic area for China.