Beijing (VNA) ⛄– The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) 2025 Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum opened in Huangshan city in China’s Anhui province on June 5.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Wu Weihua, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), said that with the theme “Regional Cooperation for Joint Advancement”, the forum is set to enhance understanding, substantive and effective cooperation in all areas, from economy and trade to cultural exchange among RCEP member countries. In a video message, Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Kao Kim Hourn described the forum as an important platform, connecting many stakeholders, especially local authorities and the business community, thereby deepening the process of regional economic integration. He emphasised that in the context of global trade fluctuations, protecting an open, comprehensive and rules-based multilateral trading system is an urgent need. Therefore, the forum not only provides an opportunity for dialogue but also strongly demonstrates the determination of member countries in cooperation, maintaining global trade flows, towards common growth of the region as well as the world. Officially effective from January 2022, RCEP is the world's largest free trade agreement with 15 members, including 10 ASEAN countries and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), by 2030, RCEP is expected to increase the income of member economies by 0.6%, bringing 245 billion USD to the regional economy and creating 2.8 million jobs each year. Within the framework of the forum from June 4 to 6, many activities have been held including dialogues on cooperation and development of cross-border agricultural products and e-commerce, on new energy vehicles (NEV), and on the supply chain and advanced photovoltaic industry among RCEP member countries, along with business networking events./.