Asean and China aim to conclude negotiations on upgrading the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), with the goal of enacting it by the end of this year, according to the Department of Trade Negotiations.
Aumaporn Futrakul, deputy director-general of the department, attended the 17th virtual ACFTA Joint Committee meeting on July 23-24, the first such meeting since 2023.
The meeting focused on finalising negotiations on ACFTA 3.0, enabling Asean and Chinese leaders to announce its completion at the upcoming summit in November 2026.
Participants discussed preparations for implementing new commitments under ACFTA 3.0, including digital trade, green trade and supply chain connectivity.
Currently, seven Asean member states, including Thailand, have completed their domestic ratification procedures. After China completes its international process, the protocol will take effect within 60 days.
She said this will enable businesses to benefit from the modernised agreement, which features updated provisions and enhanced trade facilitation measures.
The meeting also reviewed progress on key ACFTA commitments, such as updating tariff reduction lists to align with the HS 2022 customs classification system and developing an electronic origin data exchange system to facilitate the issuance of certificates of origin.
Mrs Aumaporn said the system is expected to reduce paperwork, simplify procedures and shorten processing times for businesses. Thailand is currently discussing with China the establishment of the system.
The meeting also discussed guidelines for allocating resources under a China-supported cooperation fund, which will enable Asean members to pursue economic cooperation projects.
China has been Asean's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. In 2025, bilateral trade totalled US$916.1 billion, an 18.5% year-on-year growth. Thailand ranked as China's third-largest trading partner within Asean, after Vietnam and Malaysia.
In the first quarter of this year, Asean–China trade reached $238.4 billion, with Asean exports to China valued at $77.4 billion and imports from China totalling $160.9 billion.
Asean's major exports to China included electrical machinery and equipment, nuclear reactors and machinery, mineral fuels, iron and steel, and fruits and nuts.
Major imports from China comprised electrical machinery and equipment, nuclear reactors and machinery, plastics and plastic products, iron and steel, and automobiles, parts and accessories.
