The negotiations began in November 2022.

A joint statement issued by both sides covers existing areas of the FTA as well as emerging areas that have great cooperation potential, including digital economy, green economy and supply chain interconnectivity.

Both sides are committed to protecting a rules-based trading environment, deepening economic integration and pragmatic cooperation in a complex global environment, and accelerating post-pandemic economic recovery.

The China-ASEAN Free Trade Area was set up in 2010.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)