The opening ceremony of the third round of negotiations of China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 was held in Kunming, Yunnan province on June 25. Wang Shouwen, China International Trade Representative (full ministerial rank) and Vice Minister of Commerce, and Wang Yubo, Governor of Yunnna province, addressed the opening ceremony. Wang Shouwen met with heads of delegations of ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat before the opening ceremony.

Wang Shouwen said that China-ASEAN FTA has effectively driven high-speed growth of trade and investment between China and ASEAN since it was created over 20 years ago. At the 30th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations, China and ASEAN announced the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership. It will be elevated across the board by the 3.0 version of the FTA. With the 3.0 version, China and ASEAN will work closer together on the digital economy, green economy, and industrial chains and supply chains to promote high-quality development of bilateral trade and economic relations, and drive regional economic integration.

Wang Shouwen said that China is ready to work together with ASEAN members to enhance openness and cooperation in the 3.0 version of the FTA, and make it an inclusive, modern, comprehensive and win-win agreement.

The third round of negotiations of the China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 was held from 24 to 27 of June, and joined by around 370 officials from authorities in China, ten ASEAN countries, and the ASEAN Secretariat.