ASEAN, China ink free trade upgrade
Philippine News Agency
By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
October 28, 2025, 11:49 am Updated on October 28, 2025, 1:48 pm
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China signed on Tuesday morning the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings and was witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and other ASEAN leaders.
In an intervention speech at the ASEAN-China Summit here, Marcos said the Philippines is hopeful that the ACFTA would help alleviate economic uncertainties in the region.
"On the economic front, we welcome the just-concluded signing of the and hope that this will enable us to modernize trade practices and effectively respond to emerging economic challenges," he said.
Malacañang on Tuesday said the upgrade "reflects the shared commitment of ASEAN and China to deepen regional integration and promote sustainable and inclusive growth across the region."
The ACFTA, first implemented in 2010, was the first trade deal inked by ASEAN with an external partner and has since created one of the largest free trade zones in the world.
The original pact covers trade in goods, rules of origin, customs procedures, trade facilitation, standards and technical regulations, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, services, investment, and economic and technical cooperation.
The signed protocol adds guidance on competition and consumer protection, the digital and green economies, supply chain connectivity, and micro, small and medium enterprises participation.
Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and China's Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao signed the upgraded deal.
After the signing, the document was formally handed over to ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn. (PNA)
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