China hopes that all parties concerned will get ready for the accession of new members after the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement enters effect for 18 months, as stipulated in the pact, according to a senior commerce official.

China International Trade Representative and Vice-Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen made the remarks on Saturday in Siem Reap, Cambodia, at the first RCEP ministers' meeting since the trade pact took effect on Jan 1, according to an online statement of the Ministry of Commerce on Monday.

China supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' core role in RCEP, and is willing to deepen its economic and trade co-operation with all to promote regional economic development and bring more benefits to enterprises and people in the region, he said.

He also said China attaches great importance to the implementation of the agreement and has been taking a series of measures to help enterprises better understand and utilize RCEP policies.

China is willing to work with all parties to carry out exchanges and learn from each other to jointly improve the implementation of the agreement, he added.

The meeting encouraged parties concerned to jointly fulfill RCEP obligations at a high level and continue to improve the effect of the implementation of the agreement, according to the statement.

The meeting also asked those concerned to further construct the RCEP mechanism, deepen economic and trade co-operation of RCEP members, create conditions for the business communities from various countries to seize the opportunities from the RCEP and fully enjoy its policy dividends, and make more contributions to regional economic integration and long-term prosperity and development.