MNI BRIEF: China ASEAN FTA 3.0 Negotiations Concluded - MOFCOM

China and ASEAN countries have completed negotiations on version 3.0 of their Free Trade Agreement, ending discussions which began in 2022, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Wednesday. 

Looking ahead, the two sides will actively promote the approval procedures in their respective countries and aim for a formal signing before the end of 2025, the ministry said. 

Version 3.0 includes nine new chapters, covering areas such as digital and green economy and will effectively promote the integration of supply chains, the ministry added.

Any re-start to a shelved trade agreement with China would require significant updates to reflect the current geo-political, regulatory and economic environment, a top European business leader in Beijing told MNI. (See MNI INTERVIEW:China Agreement Would Need Overhaul)