China-ASEAN FTA 3rd Round Negotiations

The third round of negotiations for the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) was inaugurated in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province in southwestern China. Drawing the participation of approximately 370 officials from relevant authorities representing China and the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), along with the presence of the ASEAN Secretariat, these negotiations spanned from June 24 to June 27.

Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen, speaking at the opening ceremony, underscored that the forthcoming Version 3.0 China-ASEAN FTA would further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the ASEAN nations. Wang emphasized the intention to strengthen collaboration in the realms of the digital economy, green economy, and supply and industrial chains. These efforts are geared towards nurturing the high-quality advancement of the bilateral economic and trade connections, as well as promoting regional economic integration.

The pathway towards achieving the third iteration of the China-ASEAN FTA began with a joint announcement by China and ASEAN in November 2022, declaring the commencement of negotiations. This collaborative endeavor is underpinned by a shared vision encompassing a comprehensive range of domains, including trade in goods, investment, as well as the emerging digital and green economy sectors. The driving impetus behind this concerted effort is to forge a more encompassing, contemporary, and mutually beneficial China-ASEAN FTA that serves the interests of both parties and enhances their economic cooperation and integration.