Media professionals and think tank experts gathered on Sunday to urge for enhanced implementation strategies and wider public engagement to fully leverage the benefits of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the largest free trade agreement in the world. This call to action arose during a sub-forum held at the 2025 RCEP Media & Think Tank Forum in Haikou, Hainan province. Since its inception in January 2022, the agreement has facilitated economic integration among member countries, yet significant challenges in adoption and public awareness persist.

The RCEP encompasses 15 nations across the Asia-Pacific, collectively accounting for about one-third of the global GDP and population. Lucio B. Pitlo III, president of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies, emphasized that while there have been notable success stories, more efforts are required to surface these narratives and simultaneously address the existing barriers. He stressed the necessity of transparent communication around the challenges of implementation while promoting the successes of companies taking advantage of RCEP's preferential terms.

Pitlo articulated the strategic significance of RCEP, highlighting its role in countering unilateralism and protectionism while fostering regional economic cooperation. In a similar vein, U Aye Chan, general secretary of the Myanmar Press Council, pointed out that insufficient awareness in Myanmar poses an obstacle, particularly among the general populace. Chan indicated that although government entities and large businesses are leveraging RCEP, the general public tends to overlook its implications due to a preoccupation with immediate national issues.

Chan called for comprehensive educational initiatives aimed not only at policymakers but also at grassroots and entrepreneurial levels to underscore RCEP's relevance. Meanwhile, Tunyathip Saengsuwan, a senior officer at the RCEP Support Unit, remarked on specific challenges hampering the agreement's full potential. She noted that the media and think tanks are crucial in elucidating RCEP's benefits and facilitating business engagement, pointing out that many enterprises face confusion over the complex provisions such as rules of origin and nonlinear tariff elimination schedules.

These technical intricacies frequently act as obstacles to effective implementation. Saengsuwan called for strengthened cooperation among governments, private sectors, media, and academic institutions to connect policy frameworks with business realities. Luan Ruiying, associate senior editor of China Watch, echoed this sentiment, stating that media and think tanks should enhance engagement by converting policy into relatable stories. By presenting success narratives and delivering expert analysis, they can bridge the knowledge gap for governments, businesses, and the public regarding RCEP's significance.

Luan also underscored the necessity of establishing dialogue platforms, such as forums and seminars, to encourage policy communication and the exchange of best practices. Kris Mada, deputy editor of the international desk at Kompas Morning Daily, emphasized that messaging surrounding RCEP should underscore its real-life benefits. He articulated that the promotion of RCEP should revolve around its potential to enhance daily life through job opportunities abroad, educational exchanges, and expanded export possibilities, rather than an overemphasis on the technical terms of the agreement.