China–ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 injects new momentum into regional openness, cooperation

Merchants communicate with each other at the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo held in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Sept. 18, 2025. (Photo/Zhu Xiaoming)

Amid rising unilateralism and protectionism, how can nations foster greater stability in regional On Oct. 28 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the two parties signed the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol. This achievement not only marks another milestone in their shared commitment to open cooperation but also significantly advances the development of an open world economy at a critical moment.

The agreement represents a landmark outcome from the consensus reached between Chinese President Xi Jinping and ASEAN leaders during the ASEAN-China Special Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

It also represents an important step in implementing the decisions of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which called for expanding high-standard opening up and creating new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.

The upgraded partnership between the world's second- and fifth-largest economies is more than a simple sum of figures, it is a meeting of minds.

Since its full implementation in 2010, the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area(CAFTA) has continuously evolved to meet the demands of accelerating regional integration. Its progressive upgrades - moving from tariff reductions on goods to expanded service sector a ccess, and now to deeper alignment of regulations and standards - clearly demonstrate the expanding scope and rising ambition of China-ASEAN economic cooperation. The process fully reflects the two sides' forward-looking vision and strategic understanding of global trends.

Building CAFTA 3.0 is a crucial step towards creating a super-sized market and fostering a community with a shared future. The economic partnership is exceptionally robust: China and ASEAN have been each other's largest trading partners for five consecutive years, with total trade reaching nearly $1 trillion in 2024 and cumulative two-way investment exceeding $450 billion as of July this year. These deep economic ties form a powerful foundation for an even closer community with a shared future.

Under the CAFTA 3.0 framework, both sides will jointly promote the development of emerging industries such as digital and green economies, enhance the alignment of standards and regulations, and advance infrastructure and supply chain connectivity. These measures will drive the region toward deeper economic integration and more sustainable long-term growth.

Businesses anticipate that the agreement's provisions will significantly enhance the region's appeal as an investment destination and contribute to building stronger, more resilient supply chains. These high expectations underscore the potential for the upgraded free trade area to unlock new dimensions of China-ASEAN cooperation.

Visitors to the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo buy Thai products, Sept. 18, 2025. (Photo/Zhu Xiaoming)

The China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 fully demonstrates the two sides' shared and solemn commitment to upholding multilateralism and free trade. Amid intensifying geopolitical rivalry and rampant protectionism, China and ASEAN are providing certainty through mutually beneficial cooperation in an uncertain world. Their joint resolve to build an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional integrated market and a resilient regional industrial and supply chain system that delivers mutual benefits will unlock significant opportunities for businesses across the region and beyond, inject strong confidence and vitality into global economic growth, and set an example for countries working together to address international economic and trade challenges.

Adhering to openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit is an inherent requirement of Chinese modernization. As of early 2025, China had signed 23 free trade agreements with 30 countries and regions.

Photo taken on Sept. 21, 2025 shows crowds of people attending the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo. (Photo/Peng Huan)

With China continuing to expand institutional opening up, foster innovation-driven trade growth, broaden two-way investment channels, and work with partners to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the space for mutual benefit and shared success will only continue to grow.

Looking ahead, China's steadfast commitment to openness and cooperation will ensure it remains a stabilizer and source of dynamism for the world economy.

Economic globalization is an irreversible trend of history. China will continue to work with all parties to uphold multilateralism and open cooperation, share development opportunities through openness, and pursue win-win outcomes, so as to promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, build an open world economy, and jointly create a brighter future for all humanity.