聚焦中小企业发展，RCEP持续促进区域合作丨东盟观察

Group 1 - China and ASEAN have been each other's largest trading partners for five consecutive years, providing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region to access the Chinese market [1] - The China-ASEAN SMEs RCEP Rules Promotion Conference focused on how to leverage RCEP rules to expand market opportunities for SMEs [1][2] - The event featured the signing of strategic cooperation agreements among various organizations, marking a new phase in China-ASEAN cooperation under the RCEP framework [2] Group 2 - The "2025 RCEP Development Report" indicates that the share of intermediate goods trade in total trade volume within the region increased from 65% in 2021 to 68.3% in 2024 [3] - SMEs account for over 90% of the total number of enterprises in RCEP member countries and ASEAN, highlighting their significance in economic development [3] - RCEP has the potential to redefine trade liberalization frameworks and significantly reduce operational costs for businesses through unified rules [3] Group 3 - Challenges faced by SMEs in utilizing RCEP rules include low average utilization rates, financing difficulties, and a digital divide [5] - Experts suggest that RCEP should shift from mere rule signing to practical implementation to truly benefit SMEs [5] - Cross-border e-commerce is identified as a key area for building a China-ASEAN common market, with significant potential for future trade [6] Group 4 - Southeast Asia presents opportunities for cross-border e-commerce due to rapid economic growth and a young population, but challenges include local policy compliance and supply chain logistics [7] - Experts emphasize the need for enhanced application of RCEP rules and collaboration among government departments, industry associations, and educational institutions to promote RCEP benefits [8] - Companies are encouraged to innovate their cross-border e-commerce supply chain systems in response to fluctuating U.S. tariff policies, with examples of successful platforms provided [8]