Huge Asian Trade Pact Signed in Coup for China voanews.com

Fifteen Asian and Pacific countries Sunday signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement on the sidelines of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.

The agreement, signed virtually, creates the largest trading bloc in the world and includes about a third of global economic activity.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired the summit.

"And I am delighted to say that after eight years of hard work, as of today, we have officially brought RCEP negotiation to a conclusion for signing," he said.

Phuc added that the agreement will help global and