ABSTRACT
The chapters explore various aspects of RCEP, including its establishment, the political agendas of member countries, their roles during negotiations, and the prospects for RCEP. With a consistent focus on ASEAN, authors discuss the centrality of ASEAN and RCEP’s significance for its members, the impact on neighbouring countries (Australia, China, and Japan), and the role of the RCEP region in the global economy (the United States and the EU).
The remainder of this chapter is structured as follows. Section 1.2 provides a literature review of RCEP, focusing on its depiction in international relations studies. Section 1.3 delves into theories of international relations to comprehend the mechanisms through which ASEAN and other countries with shared interests in the region establish multilateral institutions, including RCEP, within the current geopolitical environment and the distribution of power. Lastly, Section 1.4 offers a succinct summary of each chapter in the book.
