The Impact of RCEP Entry into Force on China's Regional International Trade Flows and Industrial Division of Labor
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63313/EPP.9037Keywords:
RCEP, International Trade Flows, Regional Heterogeneity, Industrial Division of Labor, Global Value ChainAbstract
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) took effect on January 1, 2022 and has operated for four years. Based on 2021–2024 official trade data from China's National Bureau of Statistics and 2025 customs statistics, this paper evaluates RCEP's impacts on China's trade volume and regional industrial division. Results show: (1) China's total trade with other RCEP members reached USD 1.385 trillion in 2025, accounting for 30.4% of China's overall foreign trade, up 4.8% from 2021; RCEP has been China's largest regional trade partner for four consecutive years. (2) China's exports to ASEAN economies including Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia rose sharply, while trade deficits with Japan, South Korea and Australia narrowed continuously. (3) China exports mechanical, textile and high-tech intermediate goods to the bloc and imports integrated circuits and mineral resources, forming distinct regional value chain labor division. This paper concludes with targeted suggestions for regional cooperation, trade structure optimization and industrial upgrading.
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