Sound bites

Chi Fulin, president of the Hainan-based China Institute for Reform and Development

RCEP member countries will share more of China's 1.4-billion-people consumer market. Based on the institutional arrangements for high-level trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, as well as their industrial complements, the two dynamic markets of China and ASEAN, with their large growth potentials, will be further integrated.

Wu Hailong, president of China Public Diplomacy Association

The fundamental reason that the Asia-Pacific region enjoys prosperity and development today is because countries in the region have abided by the principles of openness and inclusiveness and overcome differences in terms of ideology and social systems. Faced with various risks and challenges, Asia-Pacific countries should keep in mind the firm belief that the region's destiny and future are in the hands of regional countries and their people.

George Yeo, former minister for trade & industry and foreign affairs of Singapore, senior adviser to Kuok Group and Kerry Logistics Network

RCEP should not be seen as a static agreement but as an evolving relationship among Asian countries that share a common future. This can only be achieved by maintaining a certain balance in the development of member countries.