[Thomson Reuters Foundation] – An Asia-Pacific trade deal backed by China could hurt small scale farmers, cause more land conflicts, and leave workers in poorer nations without protection as they struggle to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, human rights groups said on Friday. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – that also includes Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the 10 Southeast Asian nations – is expected to be signed on Sunday in Hanoi following negotiations that began in 2012.