ASEAN Centrality and the Revitalisation of Regional Connectivity

In a world of increasingly interconnected economies, the shift toward deeper regional cooperation has become a defining feature of modern trade relations. One of the most significant manifestations of this trend is the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), an agreement that encompasses key players in the Asia- Pacific region, including China and the ten ASEAN countries. This book is a collaboration between Nanyang Centre for Public Administration (NCPA), Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and Lien Ying Chow Legacy Fellowship (LYCLF), explores the evolution of this collaboration, with a particular focus on ASEAN centrality, its impact on global value chains and the broader economic landscape. This book is divided into three themes: Regional Integration and Connectivity of ASEAN, Building of the ASEAN Community through ASEAN-China Economic Cooperation, and Exporting Member States' Role in Regional Integration and Development, written with the goal of offering a thorough analysis of RCEP's role in reshaping the dynamics of trade and commerce in the region. It presents an in-depth look at how this partnership impacts the global value chain and offers fresh insights for academics, business leaders, and policy makers alike.