On the morning of May 28, 2026, the 2026 RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum, themed “New Blueprint, New Opportunities, New Cooperation”, opened in Huangshan, Anhui Province. The forum was jointly hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the People's Government of Anhui Province. Professor Chi Fulin, President of China Institute for Reform and Development (CIRD) and President of Hainan Institute for Free Trade Port Studies (HIFTPS), was invited to attend the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech titled Planning for the First General Review of RCEP with a Focus on Advancing the Upgrading of RCEP 2.0.

Professor Chi pointed out that RCEP has become an important driver of regional economic integration, an important instrument for responding to external uncertainties, and an important platform for advancing regional economic cooperation and development. In a world facing growing uncertainty, RCEP has reached a critical juncture where it must either move forward or risk falling behind. He stressed that the opportunity presented by the first General Review in 2027 should be seized to advance RCEP from “the Largest in Scale” to “Higher in Standards”, with institutional review serving as the central focus and with sound top-level design for the review process.

Professor Chi proposed that development should be promoted through upgrading, with the core tasks of the General Review clearly defined; that priorities should be highlighted and attention focused on key issues in order to establish institutional arrangements for the General Review; and that regional economic and trade cooperation should be deepened in a pragmatic manner to achieve an important breakthrough in advancing RCEP from Version 1.0 to Version 2.0.

It is learned that CIRD, together with China Daily and other partners, launched the RCEP Media & Think Tank Forum in 2021, which has been successfully held for six consecutive sessions. In 2022, CIRD joined hands with think tanks across the region to initiate the RCEP Think Tank Network (RCEPTTN), which has now achieved full coverage of all RCEP members. CIRD has also continued to deepen its research on RCEP and has released the RCEP Development Report for three consecutive years.

Yang Rui, Executive President of CIRD and Secretary-General of RCEPTTN, and Liang Hui, Secretary-General of CIRD-Grandall Center of FTP Law Studies, attended the forum.