China-backed Asian trade bloc looks to expand, upgrade deal

September 22, 2025 3:38 PM

China-backed Asian trade bloc looks to expand, upgrade deal

A large but loose Asian trade bloc that includes China, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, will consider adding new members and finding ways to boost trade when its leaders meet next month, the Malaysian hosts said on Monday. Malaysia plans to hold a summit of the RCEP, the world's largest trade bloc, when it hosts the annual gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur. Leaders of the RCEP - which includes all 10 ASEAN members as we...

India remains valued ASEAN partner, says Laos Foreign Ministry official

September 16, 2024 6:10 PM

India remains valued ASEAN partner, says Laos Foreign Ministry official

India continues to be a valued partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to Chatoulong Bouasisavath, Director General of the ASEAN department in Laos' Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In an exclusive interview in Vientiane, Bouasisavath said "India is a valued partner of ASEAN...India understands ASEAN and has been helping in the ASEAN region..there is also a proposal this year on digitalisation put up by India which when adopted will further cement this India-ASEAN r...