The opening ceremony of the 2025 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum was launched in Huangshan, Anhui on June 5, aiming to elevate regional collaboration.
Wu Weihua, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, delivered a speech and announced the opening of the forum. Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Prasert Chandraruangthong gave an address via video, with both Chinese and foreign guests attending.
Wu emphasized in his address that advancing the RCEP is an essential part of China's high-level opening-up. He noted that the country will promote the building of a closer Asia-Pacific community with a shared future by continuously unleashing policy dividends and fostering high-caliber open platforms.
Bhokin Bhalakula, former president of the Thai Parliament, highlighted fruitful Sino-Thai RCEP cooperation, urging closer urban exchanges and youth entrepreneurship platforms alongside the development of the smart economy.
The forum saw Anhui sign friendship pacts with Preah Sihanouk in Cambodia and Gangwon in South Korea, alongside the signing of agreements for multi-sector projects.
In addition, delegates from ASEAN, the China-ASEAN Center, and local governments in Cambodia and Laos attended, promoting tangible RCEP implementation via subnational collaboration and sister city ties to boost the economic integration of the Asia-Pacific.