RCEP negotiations making progress

BEIJING - Negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are moving forward, with substantial progress, China's Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

"Related parties are showing an active attitude in pushing the RCEP, and the pace of negotiations is speeding up," said MOC spokesperson Gao Feng. Key areas including trade of goods, services and investments, have entered substantial pricing talks, and the 22th round of negotiations will be held in Singapore from April 28 to May 8.

The RCEP is an free trade area (FTA) made up of the 10 ASEAN member states and six FTA partners - China, Australia, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand.

"China will work with other parties to reach a modern, comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement as soon as possible," Gao said.