China and ASEAN Sign Updated Free Trade Deal

China urges ASEAN to stand with Beijing against “power politics” as both sides signed the ACFTA 3.0 trade pact in Kuala Lumpur.
China’s Premier Li Qiang (left) and Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim (right) shake hands as their ministers sign the upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA 3.0) pact during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 28, 2025. China urges ASEAN to fight power politics and economic bullying. (Photo by Lillian Suwanrumpha / AFP)

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed an updated free trade agreement on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

Negotiations on upgrading their earlier trade agreement started in 2022. The ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) 3.0 upgrade of their existing trade pact will see more cooperation on infrastructure, sustainable transitions, trade facilitation, and people-to-people exchanges.

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by CGSP Staff

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