Twelve countries have signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. But it is still early to gauge the impact of the TPP on China's economy, because the huge development differences among TPP members mean it will take them a long time to fully implement the agreement.

High standards and new rules for State-owned enterprises, environmental protection, labor and intellectual property, however, suggest the TPP, once it becomes fully operational, will not only pressure China to seek trade diversion but also significantly influence the trading system in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Given these facts, China should step up its efforts for regional economic integration. Since member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are strategically located on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, China has to strengthen communications and exchanges with these countries especially Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam which have signed the TPP Agreement-to forge a closer "community of shared destiny" in the region.