The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) Was Successfully Signed.

The successful signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), "marks that China have taken another major step towards this major economic and trade framework in the Asia-Pacific region. It is a major victory for multilateralism and free trade. It is a major victory for the region and the world under the new normal of the epidemic. Economic recovery is a major benefit, and it sends a strong message to the world: fighting the epidemic and promoting recovery must persist and rely on international cooperation", Deng Xijun, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN, said in a written interview with Xinhua News Agency on the 15th.

The leaders of the 15 member states of RCEP held the fourth leaders meeting via video on the same day, and then witnessed the RCEP online signing ceremony. Deng Xijun said that after eight years of arduous and intensive negotiations, the agreement was finally signed during the leaders' meeting. It can be said that it was overwhelming and difficult. The outbreak of the new crown pneumonia epidemic has brought great difficulties to the work before the signing of RCEP. However, the epidemic has not shaken the confidence and determination of all parties. On the contrary, it has made all parties more deeply aware of the great role and significance of RCEP in promoting regional economic recovery and strengthening solidarity and mutually beneficial cooperation. It has strengthened the sense of urgency to promote the signing of RCEP as scheduled. The 15 member states met each other to bridge their differences, and finally successfully resolved all remaining issues and ensured that the agreement was signed on schedule.

Deng Xijun pointed out that RCEP is the world's largest free trade agreement and has a decisive influence on the world economy and global economic and trade rules. RCEP members include not only developed and developing countries, but also the least developed countries. All parties have different levels of economic development, cultural backgrounds, and political systems. Such diverse countries can come together, demonstrating free trade and mutual benefit. The powerful charm of cooperation.

Deng Xijun pointed out that China has always upheld and maintained its position as the center of ASEAN in the RCEP process, has given ASEAN strong support, and has always played an active and constructive role. The Chinese side promotes the resolution of difficult issues in the negotiations in the spirit of "promoting talks, promoting cooperation, and facilitating." China completed all substantive negotiations involving China in the first half of this year, laying a solid foundation for the signing of RCEP as scheduled.

The RCEP leaders stated in a joint statement that RCEP is an open and inclusive agreement. Deng Xijun believes that in the future, as the potential of RCEP continues to be released after its entry into force, it may attract more countries to participate. This is conducive to the realization of wider trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. It is expected that RCEP, as the main realization path of the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area, will make important contributions to the final establishment of the Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area.