Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Chile, and Bangladesh are preparing to join the world’s largest trading bloc, the China-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), according to foreign media reports.
RCEP currently includes China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Officials attending RCEP discussions on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia this week acknowledged that there had been some objections to admitting new applicants but noted that efforts were underway to facilitate the entry of the four countries.
Indonesian Deputy Trade Minister Diah Roro Esti Widya Putri told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that she supported any country wishing to join the bloc.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz stated that decisions regarding new members would be taken up at the RCEP leaders’ meeting scheduled for October.
