It has been four years since the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) came into effect on Jan 1 in 2022. Since then, Shandong enterprises have deepened their global integration and boosted competitiveness.

RCEP's tariff reductions help enterprises expand into diverse markets worldwide. With the boost offered by the Belt and Road Initiative, ASEAN has firmly established itself as China's largest trading partner. From January to November last year, China's trade with ASEAN exceeded 6.82 trillion yuan ($975.47 billion), accounting for 16.6 percent of the country's total foreign trade.

Shandong enterprises like Linyi's Shansong Biological have seen orders grow with a 5-percentage-point tariff reduction in ASEAN. Heavy duty truck manufacturer FAW Jiefang Qingdao Automobile now enjoys zero tariffs in Indonesia. From 2022 to November 2025, Shandong issued over 777,000 RCEP certificates of origin, facilitating exports worth 187.24 billion yuan.

In addition, trade facilitation measures are broadening benefits. Enterprises are importing premium products like durians from Malaysia and using streamlined customs channels, such as the "RCEP new channel" at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, which ensures clearance within six hours for critical supplies like rough diamonds.

Crucially, RCEP's regional cumulative rules of origin are optimizing supply chains. Enterprises like Qingdao Countree Food can now source raw materials from Southeast Asia and export them to Australia tariff-free, while textile firms can seamlessly supply fabrics to their overseas factories in ASEAN.

Supported by proactive customs services, Shandong's importers have saved 840 million yuan in tariffs from 2022 to 2025. The agreement has become a key driver in stabilizing and upgrading the province's role in regional trade networks.