RCEP members want deal to take effect from 2022: China

Beijing

CHINA is encouraging the early implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and members of the Asia-Pacific trade pact aim for it to take effect from Jan 1, 2022, China's vice-commerce minister Wang Shouwen said on Thursday.

China began gathering support for the pact in 2012, in what was seen as a bid to counter growing United States influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Backing for the RCEP gained momentum in 2017, after then-US president Donald Trump withdrew his country from the rival Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) pact.

In November last year, 15 Asia-Pacific economies, including China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and all 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), formed the world's largest free trade bloc, covering nearly a third of the global population and about 30 per cent of its global gross domestic product.

"China has taken the lead in ratifying the RCEP, underscoring the great importance and full support from the Chinese government for the early implementation of the deal," Mr Wang told a news conference.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

The RCEP must be ratified by at least six Asean countries and three non-Asean countries before it can come into effect 60 days later. REUTERS