According to CCTV news and Philippine media, on the evening of February 21 local time, the Philippine Senate deliberated and approved the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with 20 votes in favor, 1 vote against and 1 abstention. Since then, the Philippines has formally joined the FTA.
In November 2020, the 10 ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. As many countries have successively passed domestic review procedures, this agreement will come into effect on January 1, 2022. On September 2, 2021, then Philippine President Duterte signed the relevant documents of this agreement and submitted them to the Senate for final review. On February 21, 2023, the Philippine Senate approved the ratification letter of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which marks the Philippines' formal accession to this free trade agreement.
