Ministry of Commerce of China: nearly 80% of the RCEP legal text review has been completed
China News Agency, Beijing, May 18 (Reporter Li Xiaoyu) Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy Representative of International Trade Negotiations Wang Shouwen said on the 18th that the review of the legal text of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) has been completed by nearly 80%, and is expected to be within the year The leaders signed the agreement at the meeting.
Wang Shouwen said at a news conference held on the same day that the new coronary pneumonia epidemic did affect the relevant negotiations and some conference organizations. But RCEP members improved their work plans and increased the frequency of video conference meetings. At present, relevant negotiations and consultations are still in progress, and all parties are engaged in intense negotiations around a small number of remaining issues; the textual legal review work has been completed by nearly 80%. China continues to support ASEAN ’s central position in the RCEP negotiations and strives to sign the agreement when leaders meet again during the year.
He said that under the global epidemic situation, if the RCEP agreement is signed during the year, it will be of great significance to the region's response to the negative impact of the epidemic on trade and investment. After the outbreak, the region ’s economy must achieve rapid and strong recovery, and the signing of the RCEP agreement is also of great significance.
Previously, 15 members of RCEP had issued an invitation to return to India through the chairman of the RCEP Trade Negotiation Committee. Wang Shouwen said that China welcomes India to return to the negotiations at an appropriate time. (Finish)