Finally, the RCEP trade pact to be signed at Asean summit

Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (C) addressing all the regional leaders during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, held online due to the coronavirus pandemic, in Hanoi on Thursday (Nov 12, 2020). - AFP

HANOI, Nov 12 (AFP): Fifteen Asia-Pacific nations are set to sign an enormous free trade deal at an online summit that started on Thursday, with the pact seen as a coup for China in extending its influence across the region.

Once signed, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be the world's largest trade pact in terms of GDP, according to analysts.