China ASEAN Trade Growth
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hailed booming trade with Southeast Asia on Wednesday, saying annual commerce between China and ASEAN had smashed through the $1 trillion mark.
Speaking at the bloc’s Post-Ministerial Conference in Pasay, Wang praised the upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and five years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
FTA Upgrade Boosts Ties
“Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and ASEAN. China-ASEAN cooperation has been leading the way, moving forward steadily and rapidly, achieving many outcomes, bringing together over two billion people from both sides, and making important contributions to regional and global peace,” Wang said.
“The upgraded protocol for the 3.0 version of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area was formally signed, with both sides becoming each other’s largest trading partners for six consecutive years. In 2025, our trade volume will exceed one trillion US dollars,” he continued.
The ACFTA 3.0 upgrade pushes the trade pact far beyond tariff cuts, with new rules covering digital commerce, green technology, supply chains and customs.
Regional Talks Continue
It also includes measures designed to keep vital goods moving during crises, simplify cross-border paperwork and help smaller businesses reach regional markets.
The Pasay gathering brought ASEAN foreign ministers together with major regional partners for talks on trade, security and diplomatic ties. Discussions also focused on the conflict in Myanmar, renewed hostilities in the Middle East and tensions in the South China Sea.
ASEAN Philippines 2026, via Viory.Video
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