The Impact and Implications of RCEP on Economic Relations between China and Southeast Asian Economies

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership ( RCEP ) represents a significant milestone in international trade, uniting major economies in the Asia-Pacific region, including China and ten Southeast Asian nations. This paper explores the potential implications of RCEP for economic relations between China and Southeast Asian economies, with a focus on preliminary observations regarding changes in trade flows, foreign direct investment ( FDI ), and economic integration. While initial trends suggest opportunities for enhanced trade connectivity and regional collaboration, the analysis acknowledges the challenges of drawing definitive conclusions from early data. Policy recommendations emphasise the importance of leveraging RCEP ’s framework to support sustainable growth and integration over time.