On June 30-July 1, the 5th Ministerial Conference of RCEP was held in Tokyo, Japan. Attending were trade and economic ministers and representatives from 16 countries including the ten member countries of ASEAN，China, Australia, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand. Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen, on behalf of Minister Zhong Shan, attended the meeting. Representatives from the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and General Administration of Customs also attended the meeting.

All sides deeply discussed the issues on trade in goods, trade in services, investment and rules. The Joint Press Declaration was released at the meeting, stating that ending the RCEP negotiation as soon as possible is vital against the backdrop of the current global trade being challenged by unilateralism. The ministers reaffirmed to make joint efforts to make breakthroughs and endeavor to conclude a regional integration agreement that will benefit all parties. The progress in every field during the negotiation is welcome and the negotiation team should strive to make a package of achievements by the end of this year.

Wang Shouwen said in his speech that according to the instructions of the first meeting of RCEP leaders, all fields have been effectively promoted in 2018. This Ministerial Conference held at the middle of this year will help provide clearer instruction for the negotiation to be held in the latter half of the year and end the negotiation as soon as possible. China would like to firmly support the ASEAN’s core status in the negotiation and its constructive role.

During the meeting, Wang Shouwen held talks with the heads of some delegations and the Secretary-General of ASEAN respectively.

(All information published on this website is authentic in Chinese. English is provided for reference only.)