Analyzing the Dilemma of the China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Area from a National Identity Perspective

In the current era, China, Japan, and South Korea, as significant economies in Asian, play an important role in economic cooperation for the entire East Asia and international trade. However, the China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (CJKFTA) among the three countries has been delayed. This paper utilizes the theory of national identity to discuss how China, by adopting the national identity of a responsible great power, actively promotes the negotiation of the CJKFTA and reasons why the CJKFTA has yet to be concluded. This research will not only enhance the way international relations theory is applied in the context of economic cooperation but also provide useful references and suggestions for promoting economic cooperation and integration among China, Japan, South Korea, and even the entire East Asian area.