Photo shows a signing ceremony during the opening ceremony of the 2025 RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum held on Thursday in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province.
BEIJING, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum opened on Thursday in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province.
Co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and People's Government of Anhui Province, the forum gathered some 300 delegates from Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries to discuss regional cooperation in economy, culture, and sister-city ties under the theme "Regional Partnership for Common Development".
During the forum, Anhui forged sister province ties with Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk Province and strengthened ties with South Korea's Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. The Huangshan Initiative launched the RCEP World Heritage Sites Cooperation Alliance. Ten deals covering investment, trade, and cultural exchanges were signed.
In addition, the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation released the "RCEP Regional Cooperation Development Report 2025," detailing the pact's implementation results and offering forward-looking cooperation suggestions.
Bhokin Bhalakula, president of Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association, noted fruitful cooperation under RCEP, including the China-Thailand railway and projects in smart grids and solar PV systems. He proposed building innovative demonstration zones and youth entrepreneurship platforms.
Shi Zhongjun, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre, said RCEP stabilizes the Asia-Pacific economy and injects certainty into global economy. He called for expanded cooperation in digital and green economies, and deeper integration in standards and rules.
Multiple sessions were also held, including dialogues on new energy vehicles, photovoltaic supply chains, youth business leaders, agricultural products, e-commerce and overseas Chinese businesses as well as cultural tours.
Data showed that Anhui's trade with other RCEP members hit 208.54 billion yuan (about 29.05 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, up 17.3 percent from that in 2021,accounting for 25 percent of the province's total foreign trade. Trade reached 75.38 billion yuan (approximately 10.5 billion U.S. dollars) in the first four months of 2025, rising 22.8 percent year on year.
Since taking effect, the RCEP has spurred regional growth through tariff cuts, streamlined customs clearance, and trade facilitation.
(Edited by Tian Shenyoujia with Xinhua Silk Road, tianshenyoga0524@163.com)
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