China, ASEAN hold 3rd talk on FTA Version 3.0 in Kunming

The third round of negotiations on Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) opens on June 25 in central Yunnan’s Kunming city. Photo/Yunnan Daily.

The third round of negotiations on Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) opened on June 25 in central Yunnan’s Kunming city, gathering some 370 officials from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, as well as the ASEAN Secretariat.

Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen and Yunnan Governor Wang Yubo attended the opening and delivered speeches. Earlier, Wang Shouwen met with the heads of delegations from ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat.

 

The Thai delegation is present at the opening on June 25 in central Yunnan’s Kunming city. Photo/Yunnan Daily.

The China-ASEAN FTA has resulted in fast growth of bilateral trade and investment over the past two decades, and Version 3.0 of the FTA will further upgrade the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and ASEAN countries, said Wang Shouwen at the opening ceremony.

Efforts will be made to enhance China-ASEAN cooperation in the digital and green economy, as well as the supply and industrial chains, in a bid to boost the high-quality development of bilateral economic and trade relations and the regional economic integration, Wang added.

China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to jointly improve the level of open cooperation in Version 3.0 China-ASEAN FTA, and build an inclusive, modern, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement, Wang noted.

 

The negotiators pose for a group photo at the opening on June 25. Photo/Yunnan Daily.

On behalf of the Yunnan provincial government, Yunnan Governor Wang Yubo extended a warm welcome to the negotiating guests, saying that the province is a gateway for China's opening up to South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Rim.

Embracing the Belt and Road Initiative, Yunnan will actively serve and integrate into the new development landscape, fully participating in construction of the China-ASEAN FTA, implementing the RCEP with high quality and making full use of the China-Laos railway, said Wang Yubo.

The governor added Yunnan will deepen pragmatic cooperation with the ASEAN countries in various fields, contributing its due share to construction of the China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

Reporting by Zhang Yin and Han Chengyuan (Yunnan Daily); Trans-editing by Wang Shixue