ASEAN-China Trade Nears US$600 Billion in First Seven Months of 2025

BEIJING, Sept 9 (VOM): Trade between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China surged to US$597 billion in the first seven months of this year, recording an 8.2 percent year-on-year increase and representing 16.7 percent of China’s total foreign trade, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce.

China has maintained its position as ASEAN’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China’s biggest trading partner for the past five years, said Vice Commerce Minister Yan Dong, as reported by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

In 2024, bilateral trade between China and Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore each exceeded US$100 billion. Trade volumes with Vietnam and Malaysia were particularly significant, both surpassing US$200 billion.

Yan also announced the conclusion of negotiations on Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA 3.0). The upgraded framework marks the first comprehensive model linking both “hard connectivity” through digital infrastructure and “soft connectivity” through harmonized rules and standards, alongside strengthened regulations.

“With steady progress in cooperation and the growing benefits of institutional trade and investment facilitation, the depth and scope of China-ASEAN regional economic integration have continued to expand,” Yan said.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), which will be held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, from Sept 17 to 21. About 3,200 exhibitors from 45 countries are expected to participate in the annual event.

This year’s CAEXPO will feature dedicated exhibition areas on artificial intelligence (AI), the blue economy, new quality productive forces, and premium foreign trade products, highlighting the latest achievements in China-ASEAN cooperation.

@voice of malaysia news