KPL
Senior officials, policy experts and media representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region called for faster progress toward a more integrated and upgraded Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or “RCEP 2.0,” during a high-level think tank and media dialogue held Thursday in China’s Anhui Province.
The 2026 RCEP Think Tank and Media Dialogue focused on strengthening institutional cooperation, improving regional economic integration and expanding the role of media in helping the public understand the impact of trade policies.
Opening the forum, Ma Chuanxi, vice chairman of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said think tanks and research institutions play a critical role in helping governments and businesses adapt to evolving trade rules and economic trends.
By studying industrial development, policy implementation and regional strategies, Ma said experts can provide practical policy recommendations to support local governments and enterprises across RCEP member states.
“The wise leverage external forces, while the astute seek consensus before taking action,” Ma said, calling for the annual Huangshan Forum to become a flagship platform for regional cooperation.
He also emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges, saying the long-term success of RCEP depends not only on trade growth but also on stronger cultural, educational and social ties among member countries.
“We must ensure that the benefits of RCEP cooperation are reflected not only in trade figures, but also in the improved well-being of people across the region,” he said.
Shi Zhongjun, secretary-general of the ASEAN-China Centre, described ASEAN-China cooperation as the “core engine” driving RCEP integration and said the continued expansion of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area offers a model for deeper regional liberalization.
As RCEP enters its fifth year of implementation, Shi said member states still face institutional challenges, particularly in helping small and medium-sized enterprises better understand tariff systems and rules of origin requirements.
He also pointed to gaps in digital infrastructure, cross-border data coordination and technical trade standards among member countries.
Shi called for greater policy coordination and regulatory simplification during the upcoming review of the RCEP agreement, saying reforms could help create smoother trade and investment flows across the region.
Looking ahead, he said the ASEAN-China Centre plans to promote cooperation in emerging industries, including artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, fintech, green technology and clean energy.
A major focus of the dialogue was the role of media organizations in explaining the complex economic and technical aspects of RCEP to the public.
Journalists and media experts said public understanding of regional trade agreements often remains limited because of the highly technical nature of trade policy discussions.
Panelists stressed that the success of RCEP will depend not only on government action but also on effective communication that connects trade policy with the daily lives of businesses, farmers and workers.
Several speakers proposed creating a regional media cooperation platform that would allow news organizations across ASEAN and partner countries to share reporting, monitor implementation challenges and highlight successful local development stories linked to RCEP.
Delegates said stronger media collaboration could help build greater public awareness of the trade bloc’s practical benefits and support the development of a more connected Asia-Pacific community.
