Senior officials from 16 Asia-Pacific countries met in Kobe, Japan on February 27 for the next round of negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Hanoi (VNA) – Senior officialsfrom 16 Asia-Pacific countries met in Kobe, Japan on February 27 for the nextround of negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The RCEP member nations include the 10 ASEAN member nations and six dialoguepartners, namely China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and NewZealand.
This is the first round of RCEP negotiationssince President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the Trans-PacificPartnership.
Delegates are discussing tariffs in the new economic zone and how advancedcountries will assist emerging economies, common rules on investment and e-commerce.
Iman Pambagyo, director general ofinternational trade negotiations at Indonesia’s Trade Ministry and chair of themeeting, said the talks on the RCEP are key to establishing regional free tradeagreements and contributing to promoting global trade.
RCEP negotiations kicked off in 2012. The members are estimated to account for 29percent of the global trade, or 9.5 trillion USD. In the framework of RCEP, themembers hope to eliminate 80 percent of tariffs. The rate will be 92 percent amongASEAN nations.
After 16 rounds of negotiations, theparticipating countries have so far agreed on fields of economic andtechnological cooperation and assistance to small- and medium-sizedenterprises.
The US withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership is likely to help the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership wrap up faster than expected, said Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak
The potential collapse of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact may not impact Vietnam’s sovereign credit quality as much as was projected earlier, Moody’s said.
New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay called on the 11 remaining member countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement to discuss the next step for the trade deal after the US pulled out.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for accelerating negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to create the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
Delegates at the talks (Source: Kyodo) 
