Archive · 25 Sep 2025
Hong Kong, Others Seek to Join RCEP Trade Bloc
A group of countries, including Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Chile, and Bangladesh, want to become members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a big trade group.
This group currently includes China, Japan, and others.
Officials from the RCEP are discussing these applications.
The decision on new members will be made at a meeting in October.
Some experts think the RCEP can help protect against trade taxes.
The RCEP is considered weaker compared to other trade deals due to varying interests.
This trade bloc aims to make it easier for countries to trade with each other.
Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Chile, and Bangladesh are seeking to join the RCEP trade bloc.
RCEP officials are meeting in Malaysia to discuss the applications.
The RCEP currently includes China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and ASEAN members.
Malaysia's trade minister said new members will be discussed at the October summit.
The RCEP is seen as a potential buffer against tariffs.
- Who
- Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Chile, and Bangladesh are seeking to join RCEP.
- What
- Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Chile, and Bangladesh are seeking to join the RCEP trade bloc.
- When
- The news was reported on Thursday.
- Where
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Why
- To expand trade and potentially buffer against tariffs.
- Countries Seeking to Join
- Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Chile, Bangladesh
- Current RCEP Members
- China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and ASEAN members
- Meeting Location
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- RCEP Leaders Meeting
- October