Negotiators representing 16 countries have been tasked with arriving at an agreement on the controversial Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership by October 19 but trade unions say the deal has grave consequences

The Chinese sent a warship, which approached the US vessel, forcing it to leave the waters. The US has escalated military exercises in the region over the past few weeks

Activists say the deal disenfranchises the people and leaves very little scope for the government to control corporate excesses

Organizations across the Asia Pacific region have condemned the secrecy surrounding the negotiations and pointed out that the deal will have an impact on poor and developing countries