RRI.CO.ID, Shanghai – The Indonesian government has officially called on China to support the establishment of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Secretariat in Indonesia. This move is considered strategic for strengthening economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region, which serves as a major driving force behind global trade.

Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, delivered the statement during a bilateral meeting with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao in Shanghai on Friday, July 17, 2026. According to a written press release from the ministry on Sunday, July 19, 2026, the meeting of both ministers marked an important milestone in deepening regional economic cooperation.

As one of the pact's founding members, Indonesia believes that a permanent secretariat is urgently needed. Such a facility would serve to streamline coordination among member countries, support the effective implementation of the agreement, and help the business community better utilize RCEP benefits.

In addition to discussing the secretariat, Indonesia is promoting an initiative to upgrade to "RCEP 3.0." This modernization effort is considered vital for ensuring the world’s largest trade bloc remains resilient and responsive to current international economic dynamics.

Modernization through RCEP 3.0 aims to address fast-moving developments in global trade and the acceleration of digital transformation. Moreover, the step is necessary to anticipate structural shifts in global supply chains and meet the growing need for deeper regional economic integration.

Beijing’s support for establishing the RCEP Secretariat in Indonesia is expected to significantly boost the trade agreement's overall effectiveness. At the same time, hosting the headquarters will solidify ASEAN’s position as the hub of the regional economic architecture.

This regional collaboration complements the bilateral relationship between the two nations, which continues to show robust growth. In 2025 alone, the total value of Indonesia-China trade reached USD 154.6 billion, reflecting a steady growth trend of 7.24% over the 2021–2025 period.