Study of Economic and Trade Cooperation among China, Japan, Korea, and ASEAN within the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Framework

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) officially entered into force on January 1, 2022. By June 2, 2023, it became fully operational for 10 ASEAN countries, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand – totaling 15 signatory nations. As the world’s most populous free trade zone, encompassing the largest economies and trade volumes with the highest development potential, the RCEP plays an increasingly crucial role in fostering a more prosperous regional integrated market. This research analyzes the current state and future trends of economic and trade cooperation between China, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN within the VREP framework. The authors employ investigative and literature analysis methods to explore the history of cooperation among China, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN, examine the relevant chapters of the RCEP, and conduct statistical and analytical assessments of trade data. The results indicate that China, Japan, and South Korea, being key East Asian economies, have exhibited diverse characteristics in their cooperation history with ASEAN. Opportunities and challenges in economic and trade cooperation between China, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN within the RCEP coexist; the three countries, alongside ASEAN nations, have demonstrated varying approaches in selecting their paths for economic and trade collaboration. In the future, ASEAN+3 will become one of the main drivers of global economic growth. China, Japan, and South Korea must maintain significant independence and flexibility in their cooperation with ASEAN.