Foreign minister: China, ASEAN ready to sign free trade agreement

Consultations on the establishment of the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 have been completed, and the relevant documents will be submitted for signing at the summit in October.

According to Prime, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the announcement to journalists following ASEAN ministerial meetings in Kuala Lumpur.

"Amid the current surge of unilateralism and protectionism, China and ASEAN countries have demonstrated a firm commitment to supporting one another, uniting and cooperating, and jointly responding to challenges," said Wang Yi, as quoted on the website of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He stated that the parties "confirmed the completion of consultations on the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0" and agreed to present the relevant document "for approval and signing at the summit to be held this October."

"This clearly signals our intention to continue promoting regional economic integration and to build a high-level regional free trade network," the minister stressed.