US-China trade row seen to help conclude RCEP by year end

13 Sept 12:48 Key points summarised by AI

The escalating US-China trade war and regional tensions are accelerating efforts to conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by year-end to stabilize international supply chains.
RCEP aims to create the world's largest trade bloc, involving 16 Asian-Pacific nations, with ministers committing to a 2020 signing and reporting significant progress in market access negotiations.
The agreement is expected to provide economic benefits like lower tariffs and clearer regulations for member countries (e.g., Thailand) while offering a platform to ease geopolitical tensions and ensure market access amidst trade disputes.
Despite progress, challenges remain, including India's reluctance to full trade liberalization and concerns from civil society about market opening and intellectual property rights.

Detained Suu Kyi receives UK royal package: Myanmar govt

Yesterday 03:08 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's detained Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, received a package from Britain's King Charles III, which included two gardening books, a sealed envelope, and diplomatic communication.
The event marked the first release of images of Suu Kyi in two months and saw Myanmar authorities describe her as a "special female prisoner" for the first time.
Suu Kyi, who was deposed in a 2021 military coup that triggered an ongoing civil war, remains under house arrest on charges that rights groups contend are politically motivated.