2026 RCEP local governments and friendship cities forum opens in Huangshan

By Zong He and Li Hao | ahnews.com.cn

The 2026 RCEP Local Governm ents and Friendship Cities Cooperation Forum opened in Huangshan on May 28. Tie Ning, vice-chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee, declared the event open and delivered a speech. Nur Jazlan, deputy president of the Malaysian Senate; Liang Yanshun, Anhui Party chief; Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Kao Kim Hourn, ASEAN secretary-general; Mang Sineth, governor of Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia; Pham Thanh Binh, Vietnamese ambassador to China; Shi Zhongjun, secretary-general of the ASEAN-China Center; Lee Hee-sup, secretary-general of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat; and officials from the Ministry of Commerce also spoke. Wang Qingxian, Anhui governor, presided. Also attending were Muhammad Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, chairman of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives; Phil Goff, former New Zealand minister of defence and foreign affairs; and Anhui leaders Shan Xiangqian, Wang Cuifeng, Sun Yong and Ma Chuanxi.

Tie said the RCEP is moving from a regional free trade arrangement toward a higher-level cross-regional economic framework, becoming a key driver of regional economic integration. She called for full and efficient implementation, coordinated opening-up at both institutional and factor levels, and greater market access to improve the quality of free trade zone operations.

Nur Jazlan said the region's economic vitality stems from subnational cooperation. He called for deeper pragmatic cooperation among local governments, lasting partnerships and results in industrial upgrading, green transition and urban development.

Liang said the RCEP has become an important force in tackling geopolitical challenges and promoting shared gains. Anhui will build on the Huangshan Forum's brand to deepen cooperation with local governments and sister cities in trade, industry, investment, culture and tourism, and establish regular exchanges.

Yang said the association will use the forum to strengthen its role as a primary channel for people-to-people diplomacy and a platform for cooperation among international friendship cities. It will contribute non-governmental strength to regional cooperation and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Zhang Shaogang, executive vice-chairman of the APEC China Business Council; Xaysana Khotphouthone, Party chief of Khammouane province in Laos; and Chi Fulin, president of the China (Hainan) Institute for Reform and Development, delivered keynote speeches. Project signings were held and the Eastern Huangshan RCEP Local Exchange and Cooperation Demonstration Zone initiative was launched.