Sri Lanka, Sept. 25 -- Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Chile, and Bangladesh have formally applied to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world's largest trade bloc.

According to Southeast Asian officials, the four economies have expressed interest in becoming members of the China-backed alliance.

The RCEP currently comprises the ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, along with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

The applications are to be discussed during an upcoming summit of RCEP leaders in October, the first such meeting in five years.

Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz said that the bloc would consider accepting new applicants during the su...