ASIA TODAY

 If we talk about the nineteenth century, then the European nations had shaped this century with their progress in the field of education and research. In the twentieth century, the United States became the equal of Europe, and whatever it was in that century, it was largely due to this alliance. Today we are living in the 21st century. The first two decades of this century now want to be completed. The signs that are emerging at the end of these two decades indicate that this is the century of Asia.

These positive signals have been given by China. First, China successfully overcame the Novel Corona virus epidemic, revived domestic economic activity, cooperated fully with the international community in counter-epidemic efforts, as well as the RCEP and CPTP. With agreements like P, it paved the way for future global development.

On November 15, the Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) was signed by ten ASEAN member countries, China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia. Thus, with a large population, a large structure in terms of the number of member countries, and a large potential and scope for development in the world, a free trade zone has come into being on a regular basis.This agreement is not only a significant achievement in the journey of economic integration of East Asia over the last twenty years, but also has a symbolic significance for the world. This not only demonstrates the strong commitment of the countries of the region to support multilateral and free trade, but also proves that open cooperation is in the mutual interest of all parties. The total population, economic volume, and trade volume of the 15 member countries of the RCEP is about 30% of the total global volume, which means that about one third of the world's economy has become an integrated market.The signing of this agreement is a new milestone in the economic integration of the East Asian region.

It is a fact that the three major economic powers of East Asia, China, Japan and South Korea, have joined such an economic agreement despite their differences. The same is true of Australia and New Zealand joining the RCEP. Asia and Australia are moving forward with regional economic integration, while countries in the North Atlantic are embroiled in protectionism and partial disputes over how to finalize Bridget.

The latter has cost the EU and the UK four years of energy, and the camel does not seem to be sitting still. Not only that, the global epidemic has crippled the economy of almost the entire European region. The United States, meanwhile, is distancing itself from its own allies, suffering from internal problems, epidemics and protectionism.

China is showing a positive and open attitude towards joining the "Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership" (CPTPP). China welcomes any such agreement that would help promote economic globalization and regional economic integration. It should be noted that the CPTP was formed on December 30, 2018. It includes 11 countries, including Japan, Canada, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Mexico and Peru.The signatory countries have a population of 498 million and their total GDP is 13% of the world's total GDP.

China has always supported the establishment of a free, transparent, mutually beneficial and win-win regional free trade arrangement. For any regional free trade agreement, it must be in line with WTO principles, open, comprehensive and transparent. China's positive, global and multi-faceted thinking has made the dream of the Asian century a reality. The journey is underway.