On August 30, 2024, the "Round-table on the Utilization Rate of RCEP Rules" was co-hosted by China Institute for Reform and Development (CIRD) and Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific (BRICAP). The Round-table was co-organized by Sunway Business School of Sunway University and Malaysia-China Silk Route Business Chamber. More than 50 people from think tanks, universities, business associations, enterprises of China and Malaysia, as well as media, such as Xinhua News Agency Kuala Lumpur Branch, China News Service Malaysia Branch, and Phoenix Satellite Television attended the Round-table. The Round-table was mainly focused on the issue of the utilization rate of RCEP rules and conducted discussions and exchanges.

Professor Chi Fulin, President of CIRD, highlighted in his opening speech that since the RCEP came into effect over two years ago, its benefits have begun to release in various areas, including trade, investment, and regional value chains. At the same time, there is a task to enhance the utilization rate of RCEP rules. To achieve this, it is necessary to fully leverage the leading role of government departments in the comprehensive implementation of RCEP, to fully empower enterprises as the primary users of RCEP rules, and to fully utilize the intellectual support provided by think tanks in promoting RCEP's development. In the future, RCEP will have a significant impact on promoting regional economic integration, with ASEAN at its core, and on economic globalization. CIRD will continue to provide intellectual support to maximize RCEP's role in regional economic integration and to improve the utilization rate of RCEP rules.

In his opening speech, Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat, President of BRICAP, pointed out that in the ASEAN region, the level of awareness and utilization of RCEP rules remains relatively low, hindering the release of its potential. At the same time, with multiple “10+1” agreements coexisting with RCEP in the region, there will inevitably be redundant and conflicting situations, leaving industry players at a loss. While coordinating multiple free trade agreements to increase the utilization rate of RCEP rules, it is necessary to solicit the opinions of stakeholders from all 15 member countries.

Regarding topics such as the current status of the utilization rate of RCEP rules of origin, factors that restrain enterprises from utilizing RCEP rules of origin, measures to improve the utilization rate of RCEP rules, and forming a joint force to enhance the utilization rate of RCEP rules, H.E. Li Sa, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy to Malaysia, Professor Shandre Mugan Thangavelu, Head of the Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia of Sunway University, Dato Ong Zhongyi, Executive Director of BRICAP, Professor Tham Siew Yean, Emeritus Professor Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Mr. John Pang Yun Nian, Senior fellow of BRICAP cum Senior Research Fellow, Perak Academy, Malaysia, Mr. Stephen Lai, Chairman of Malaysia-China (Greater Bay Area) Science-Tech Innovation Alliance and Advisor of BRICAP, Dato Alex Wong, Vice President of ASEAN Retail Chains & Franchise Federation (ARFF), Dato Ricky Tan, Legal Advisor of the The Malaysia-China Silk Route Business Chamber, Mr. Wang Yuehong, Research Assistant at the RCEP Research Institute of CIRD, and Dr. Li Chun, Director of CIRD-GRANDALL Center of FTP Law Studies, delivered speeches and exchanged views.

The opening ceremony of the Round-table was presided over by Ms. Yang Rui, Executive President and President of the RCEP Research Institute of CIRD. The discussion session was presided over by Dr.  Kuang Xianming, Vice President of CIRD. Mr. Guo Da, Vice President of Hainan Institute for Free Trade Port Studies (HIFTPS), Ms. Liang Hui, Secretary-General of CIRD-GRANDALL Center of FTP Law Studies, and Ms. Chi Xue, Project Assistant of the International Cooperation and Exchange Center of CIRD, were also participated in the Round-table.