China filed a formal application to join DEPA on November 1, 2021. On August 18, 2022, the DEPA Joint Committee decided to establish an Accession Working Group (AWG) and fully commence the negotiations on China’s accession to DEPA. Up to now, China has held several rounds of consultations with DEPA members at various levels with positive progress being made.

On May 7, the fifth meeting of chief negotiators of the AWG took place in Auckland, New Zealand. China had an in-depth exchange of views with Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, and the ROK on the negotiations and related issues. China will work with DEPA members to push for continuous progress in the negotiations. Thank you.