KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Economic ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said here on Wednesday that expanding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) membership would further strengthen and diversify its economic linkages with external partners.
In a joint statement issued after the 57th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Meeting here on Wednesday, the ministers said that they noted the interest from China's Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Chile, and Bangladesh to accede to the RCEP Agreement, and the meeting encouraged officials to expedite discussions to commence the accession process as soon as possible.
