Chinese opportunities for regional bloc lauded

LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — The economic growth and market in China provide substantial opportunities for ASEAN countries, according to an Indonesian official.

"China's economic influence is a significant driving force behind the RCEP's (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) development in 2022," the deputy for the coordination of international economic cooperation under the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Edi Prio Pambudi, said during the two-day 42nd ASEAN Summit which opened on Wednesday.

The RCEP free trade pact comprises 15 Asia-Pacific countries, including the 10 ASEAN member states of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and ASEAN's five trading partners, namely China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.