The official signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement sent a clear signal of firm support for multilateralism and free trade to the global world, Premier Li Keqiang said at the fifth “1+6” roundtable dialogue with leaders of six international economic and financial institutions via video link in Beijing on Nov 24.

RCEP is consistent with World Trade Organization rules and complements other regional free trade arrangements, Premier Li said. It is a beneficial supplement to the multilateral trading system and is conducive to promoting economic globalization and trade liberalization, he added.

The Premier stressed that the RCEP does not belong just to the 15 countries concerned; it also welcomes the participation of other countries with openness and inclusiveness.

China is willing to join hands with the international community to uphold multilateralism and work together with all parties to build an open world economy, the Premier added.