China asean free trade agreement

The 16-country Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has been hailed as an antidote to Trump-era protectionism, particularly after the US leader pulled his country out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to pursue his "America-first" agenda. But the much-trumpeted TPP rules on environmental protection, worker rights and government procurement are absent in the RCEP, leaving many wondering how free trade will be conducted under a Beijing-supported agreement, a senior Thai diplomat said Friday. Some RCEP members are pushing to have these provisions included in the RCEP as well, said Arthayudh Srisamoot, deputy permanent secretary at Thailand's foreign ministry said at a forum in Singapore. "People are bringing in new issues. They are not talking about trade and investment liberalisation or trade facilitation anymore," he said. "You have environment policies, labor policies... human rights, government procurement. These new issues are complicating the existing … [Read more...] about Environment, labor concerns delaying China-backed free trade pact: Thai diplomat

The flag of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Photo: AFP) Hanoi (VNA) - The year 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) featured with political trust, mutual respect and win-win cooperation. The two sides have pledged to further develop their relations to a new high by adopting the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030 last month, which is widely seen as a role model for cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, the Xinhua News Agency reported. In 2003, China and ASEAN decided to establish their strategic partnership, opening up a new chapter in the bilateral relations. Over the past 15 years, the partnership has endured a changing international landscape and theỉ cooperation has continued to deliver real benefits to the countries and the peoples of the region. China and ASEAN are firmly committed to good-neighborliness and friendship while … [Read more...] about China, ASEAN enter new era of deeper strategic partnership

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang for a bilateral meeting at the Istana on Nov 12, 2018 (Source: https://www.straitstimes.com) Hanoi (VNA) - Singapore and China signed 11 memoranda of understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation on November 12 within the framework of the ongoing visit by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The MoUs covers the fields of bilateral cooperation such as trade, fintech, culture, the environment and urban area development. In addition to MoU signing, the two sides upgraded the China-Singapore free trade agreement (CSFTA), making Singapore’s products to China easier and increasing investment protection. Changes were also made to measures to boost trade, tariff procedures, the settlement of some new issues like environmental protection, e-commerce and competitiveness. During the visit, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong had talks, during which they agreed to increase joint efforts in … [Read more...] about Singapore, China sign 11 bilateral cooperation documents

The 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which will cover about half the world's population and a third of its GDP, has taken center stage as Washington embarks on a unilateral, protectionist agenda, Singapore's trade minister said Saturday. The RCEP is backed by China and notably excludes the US, which had been leading another regional pact -- the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) -- until President Donald Trump abandoned it on coming to office early last year. Trump, whose administration has embarked on an America-first policy and is engaged in a tit-for-tat trade brawl with China, will skip two Asian summits in November, including one in Singapore. RCEP trade ministers and negotiators met in Singapore on Thursday and Friday on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathering. The RCEP will group the 10 ASEAN members plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. It will become the world's biggest free trade pact … [Read more...] about Deal on China-backed mega free trade pact likely in November: Singapore

Trade Minister of Canada Jim Carr (Source: Reuters/Chris Wattie) Hanoi (VNA) - Canada wants free trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said the country’s Trade Minister Jim Carr on August 27 on the eve of his trip to Thailand and Singapore. Expanding to the Southeast Asia region will help Canadian businesses access one of the world's fastest-growing markets, he said in a statement. A deal with ASEAN, which includes Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, would give Canada access to 650 million consumers. The minister’s comments followed a breakthrough in US-Mexico talks to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The development has led to Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland cutting short a European trip to rejoin trilateral NAFTA negotiations in Washington DC. Carr’s August 28-30 trip aims to promote bilateral trade and investment with Thailand and … [Read more...] about Canada eyes free trade with ASEAN