Boosting RCEP trade as new chapter begins

Initiated by the 10 Asean countries to establish a unified market by reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers, the RCEP will take effect on Jan 1, 2022, and more than 90% of merchandise trade in the region will be eventually subject to zero tariffs. (File pic shows RCEP Asean leaders at a virtual meeting )

NANNING: The HF Spirit, a freighter sailing from Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, arrived at the Qinzhou Port in South China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on Nov 20, bringing five reefer containers filled with fresh fruit.

“Indonesia’s bananas, mangosteens, Thailand’s coconuts, longan, durians and Vietnam’s pitaya are the ‘frequenters’ on our ship,” said Lu Xiaoshan, manager of the shipping department of the New Sitc International Shipping Agency (Shanghai) Co Ltd’s branch in Qinzhou.