"Leveraging Think Tank Strength to Advance RCEP's Role and Steadily Promote Free Trade" Consensus of RCEP Think Tank Experts

On the morning of April 16, 2025, the RCEP Think Tank Network (RCEPTTN) convened a thematic seminar titled "The Future Trend of Global Free Trade and RCEP's Role" in a hybrid format. The discussion centered on key topics such as RCEP's role in promoting free trade, advancing regional free trade arrangements with a focus on Asia, and addressing the challenges, opportunities, and pragmatic strategies facing RCEP. Experts and scholars from all 15 RCEP member countries and representatives of the RCEPTTN engaged in discussions on these topics and reached the following consensus.

1. Isolation and confrontation lead only to stagnation and conflict, while openness, cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation are the shared aspirations of all countries, and the prevailing trend of the times. At present, the global economy is facing severe challenges from unilateralism and protectionism, the multilateral trading system is under significant strain, and global free trade is facing disorder. Asia, as a high point for global cooperation and development, is facing both unprecedented challenges and significant opportunities. Asian countries must work together to safeguard the free trade order and oppose trade protectionism.

2. RCEP is an important strategic measure in response to trade protectionism. It serves as a key driving force for promoting regional free trade, advancing regional economic integration, and achieving inclusive and sustainable development among its members. The signing and implementation of RCEP marks a major milestone in regional economic integration, fully demonstrating the firm commitment of countries in the region to multilateralism and free trade. RCEP's greatest strength lies in free trade based on open markets and inclusive rules. In the current context, the benefits brought by RCEP are particularly valuable.

3. Steadily advance RCEP with free trade as the main theme, promote the joint construction of the world's largest high-level free trade area, and accelerate the process of free trade within the region. It is also necessary to resolutely uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system, safeguard the stability of industrial and supply chains, and maintain a predictable, transparent, non-discriminatory, fair, inclusive, and open regional economic environment.

4. Strengthen cooperation between RCEP and other free trade partners, and jointly build a network of partnerships that support free trade in order to collectively address trade protectionism and unilateralism. RCEP should actively deepen constructive cooperation with emerging regions and other economies committed to free trade. Through cooperation with actors committed to a fair, rules-based international order, RCEP can more effectively shield itself from the disruptive impacts of unilateralism and protectionism.

5. Accelerate the improvement and refinement of RCEP governance mechanism. Strengthen the evaluation and analysis of the implementation of RCEP provisions and promote the upgrading of its rules. Establish an RCEP Secretariat at an appropriate time; set up an RCEP Dispute Settlement Committee; expedite the process of RCEP expansion; and convene an RCEP Summit to enhance synergy in RCEP's implementation.

6. Give greater play to the role of think tanks within RCEP region. In the face of serious challenges posed by global changes, think tanks should pool wisdom, enhance consensus, and unite efforts. Jointly strengthen research on free trade and regional economic integration and provide policy suggestions; jointly build high-level international exchange platforms to promote dialogue and cooperation among think tanks; jointly promote cooperation in emerging fields under the RCEP framework; jointly carry out various forms of capacity-building initiatives; and jointly promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding within the region.