ASEAN has once again showed its commitment to an open, rules-based, multilateral trade system. Its Economic Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings have wrapped up in Singapore. Together with its six trading partners, ASEAN is doubling efforts to achieve a substantial conclusion on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by the end of the year. Our correspondent Miro Lu has more.

16 economies in Asia Pacific are racing to conclude a mega trade deal that would become the largest trading bloc in the world. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or the RCEP participating countries concluded two additional chapters in this week's negotiation. With just 3 months left to its year-end timeline to achieve a substantial conclusion, RCEP ministers acknowledged that negotiations have now reached a critical and most challenging phase.

CHAN CHUN SING SINGAPOREAN TRADE AND INDUSTRY MINISTER "Just like climbing a mountain, as you go nearer and nearer to the summit, the climb can be steeper and more challenging, and that's where we really need to buckle down, double up effort, and not just look at our own individual interests, but really work as a team."

Ahead of this round of negotiation, there were concerns over India's commitment to the trade deal. Indian High Commissioner to Singapore, Jawed Ashraf, twittered on Saturday that "RCEP negotiators under the able leadership of Singapore as ASEAN Chair covered ground, but much work remains to be done by all members before November's East Asia Summit in Singapore."

CHAN CHUN SING SINGAPOREAN TRADE AND INDUSTRY MINISTER "I think we have the commitment of the ministers present that they will intensify the request and offer process both for the goods side and services side, and also the other areas, so they can come to a conclusion and reach the milestone we've set up for all of us collectively by the end of this year."

MIRO LU SINGAPORE "Singapore said a broad agreement is insight. However, all RCEP participating countries must exercise shared and strong collective will, and view the trade deal as a whole package includes goods, services and investment. When completed, RCEP, would account for about one-third of the global economy. Miro Lu, CGTN, Singapore."