As one of the key branded events of the 25th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), the "5th RCEP Economic and Trade Cooperation Matching & Exchange Event" was successfully held in Xiamen on the afternoon of September 8, 2025.
Hosted by the China International Investment Promotion Agency (CIIPA), the event themed "Strengthening Industrial and Supply Chain Integration to Promote Coordinated Regional Economic Development" brought together participants including government officials from RCEP member states, foreign envoys to China, representatives from trade and investment promotion agencies and chambers of commerce, experts and scholars in the economic and trade field, as well as business guests. Focusing on the prospect of the China - ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) Version 3.0, the participants discussed and exchanged views on topics such as regional trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, industrial chain integrated development, supply chain connectivity, and key areas of regional investment, with the aim of advancing the construction of regional economic integration.
Zhou Xiaoyan, Executive Vice President of the China International Investment Promotion Agency (CIIPA), and U Win Myint, Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations of Myanmar, delivered speeches respectively.
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Zhou Xiaoyan’s Speech: Against the backdrop of the current slow global economic recovery, escalating geopolitical conflicts, regional restructuring of supply chains, and the spread of trade protectionism and unilateralism, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has been operating smoothly for nearly 4 years and has become a "ballast stone" for the development of regional economic and trade cooperation. To advance practical cooperation under RCEP, she called on member states to take the digital economy as a link to activate synergy; take the green economy as a guide to reshape sustainable competitiveness; and take supply chain connectivity as a support to consolidate the foundation for industrial chain integration. She stated that strengthening the implementation and deepening of RCEP cooperation is not only a key means to align with high - standard international economic and trade rules and maintain regional economic stability, but also a strategic support to promote mutual benefit and win - win results among member states and reshape new advantages in regional economic and trade cooperation.
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U Win Myint’s Speech: RCEP is more than just a trade agreement; it symbolizes a firm commitment to a shared future characterized by prosperity and extensive economic integration in the region. RCEP will not only continue to serve as the cornerstone of regional economic cooperation but also stand as an excellent model of global economic resilience and opportunities. Myanmar proposed that under the RCEP framework, priority should be given to advancing three key areas: connectivity and logistics cooperation, technology transfer and capacity building, and sustainable supply chain development, so as to enhance regional economic resilience and inclusiveness. She called for the full implementation of RCEP provisions, strengthened cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy, reaffirmed Myanmar’s firm commitment to RCEP, and expressed willingness to work with all member states to build a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive regional community.
Du Yingfen, Counselor of the State Council and Researcher at the Institute of Industrial Economics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivered a speech stating that since the entry into force of RCEP, the scale of regional trade has grown steadily, the degree of interdependence within the region has increased, the layout of industrial chains has been optimized, the regional production network has taken shape, the role of technology empowerment has initially emerged, and digital collaboration has begun. However, issues such as geopolitical conflicts, inconsistent rules and standards, development gaps among member states, and insufficient supply chain resilience still restrict the release of the agreement’s dividends. To this end, efforts should be made to deepen cooperation in four aspects: building resilient supply chains, deepening the coordination of intra - border measures, promoting inclusive development, and strengthening technology empowerment and institutional guarantees. Through multilateral cooperation and institutional innovation, RCEP is expected to achieve high - quality integration that balances efficiency and security, and become an important support for global economic growth and industrial chain stability.
Chen Zhiyang, Deputy Director - General of the Department of International Economic and Trade Relations of the Ministry of Commerce of China, pointed out that in 2024, the total trade volume within the RCEP region reached 5.7 trillion US dollars, and the global share of foreign direct investment (FDI) attracted and outward direct investment (ODI) made by the region both exceeded 30%. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimate, by 2030, the RCEP region is expected to contribute approximately 32.7% of global economic growth. Against the backdrop of uncertainties in the global and regional economic situation, countries and all sectors should make full use of super - large regional free trade cooperation arrangements such as RCEP and CAFTA Version 3.0, actively maintain and consolidate the momentum of regional economic cooperation, continue to tap the potential of regional free trade cooperation, continuously provide high - quality services for enterprises, strengthen cooperation bonds, and seek long - term development together.
Gao Yuanyuan, President of the China International Economic Cooperation Society, noted that in the three years since RCEP came into force, it has effectively promoted regional trade integration and industrial chain integration, but the challenge of unbalanced development among member states still exists. She proposed that RCEP should be taken as a link and the construction of CAFTA Version 3.0 as a starting point to deepen cooperation in three aspects: building a pilot zone for the Digital Silk Road, creating a model for green and low - carbon cooperation, and improving the supply chain security network. She emphasized that through rule innovation, mechanism coordination, and people - to - people exchanges, joint efforts should be made to promote the steady and long - term development of RCEP and contribute to the sustained prosperity of the Asia - Pacific economy.
Safwan, Acting Investment Consul of the Investment Section of the Consulate General of Malaysia in Guangzhou and Acting Director of the Guangzhou Office of the Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA), stated that MIDA is the main investment promotion agency under the federal government of Malaysia, dedicated to providing full - process support and services for foreign investment in the manufacturing and service industries. The Malaysian government has launched a number of pro - business policies including tax incentives and focuses on promoting the development of key industries such as semiconductors, green energy, and the digital economy. China has been Malaysia’s largest source of investment for many consecutive years, and the cooperation prospects between the two sides are broad. MIDA will continue to help Chinese enterprises settle in Malaysia smoothly and expand into the regional market.
Okata Toyoki, Representative Director and Secretary - General of the Japan - China Investment Promotion Agency, pointed out that by optimizing rules of origin and reducing trade barriers, the RCEP agreement has significantly promoted supply chain integration and investment and trade cooperation between Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. In recent years, the Japan - China Investment Promotion Agency has focused on regional coordination in fields such as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management and new energy vehicles, and actively promoted Japanese and Chinese enterprises to jointly build value chains and ecosystems in Southeast Asia. In 2025, it will continue to deepen the implementation of RCEP, build a sustainable cooperation platform, and further expand mutually beneficial cooperation among the three parties in fields such as high - end manufacturing and the green economy.
Hwang Jae - won, Chief Representative of the China Regional Headquarters of the Korea Trade - Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), said that under the RCEP framework, China and South Korea are actively expanding in - depth cooperation in the fields of green transformation and the digital economy. South Korea has advantages in hydrogen energy, fuel cells, and digital technologies, while China has a broad market and rich application scenarios. The two sides have already launched a number of projects through technological synergy and supply chain integration. In the future, relying on rules such as RCEP’s origin accumulation, efforts will be made to further promote the construction of green industrial chains in the region and the facilitation of digital trade. KOTRA will continue to play its role as a platform to help enterprises of the two countries connect resources, reduce institutional barriers, and jointly seize new opportunities brought by sustainable development and digitalization.
Wang Xin, Senior Vice President of BeyondSoft Corporation, stated that with 30 years of global experience, BeyondSoft has proposed to focus on the core concepts of "understanding trends, leveraging trends, seeking changes, and coexisting" to help Chinese and foreign enterprises grasp the opportunities of RCEP and the digital economy and overcome challenges such as compliance and localization in overseas expansion. Through the dual - track model of "technology standardization + scenario localization" and AI empowerment, it will build a cross - border collaboration ecosystem to promote regional industrial chain integration and two - way value co - creation. The company is committed to building a symbiotic platform for Chinese and foreign enterprises, supporting the overseas expansion of China’s digital capabilities while promoting the connection of overseas technologies and resources to the Chinese market.
Guan Xinxin, Founder and Director of Singapore Hongxin International, pointed out that with its safe and stable environment, foreign exchange freedom, and geographical advantage of radiating Southeast Asia, Singapore has become the preferred hub for Chinese enterprises to expand into Southeast Asia. Enterprises can adopt the "Singapore + 1" model, setting up their headquarters or R&D centers in Singapore and integrating manufacturing and supply chain resources in places such as Malaysia and Vietnam to achieve efficient regional layout. She emphasized that enterprises going overseas must attach great importance to compliance risks and suggested leveraging professional institutions and government support to avoid the impact of unfamiliarity with local laws on the internationalization process.
This exchange event was hosted by Lü Jianhua, Invited Vice President of the China International Investment Promotion Agency (CIIPA). The event was held in a lively atmosphere, and the speakers put forward practical and forward - looking suggestions on topics such as deepening RCEP cooperation, promoting regional industrial chain integration, enhancing supply chain resilience, strengthening regional coordination, advancing the development of the digital economy and green economy, and building an open and inclusive integrated market. Approximately 150 guests attended the event, including representatives from government departments, think tanks, investment promotion agencies, and enterprises of RCEP member states.
