World

ASEAN, China start negotiations on upgrading bilateral FTA

The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China started the first round of negotiations on the upgrade of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) at a meeting of the Working Group on Standards, Technical Regulations, and Conformity Assessment Procedures (WG-STRACAP) on April 11.
ASEAN, China start negotiations on upgrading bilateral FTA ảnh 1The ASEAN and China start the first round of negotiations on the upgrade of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) on April 11. (Photo:bsn.go.id)

Jakarta (VNA) – The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) andChina started the first round of negotiations on the upgrade of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) at a meeting of the Working Group on Standards, Technical Regulations, andConformity Assessment Procedures (WG-STRACAP) on April 11.

This meeting is a follow-upto the results of the 21st AEM Forum – Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) Consultation onSeptember 17, 2022, which agreed to increase the implementation of the ACFTAthrough the endorsement of the Joint Feasibility Study Report toFurther Enhance the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA3. 0). 

The upgrade of the ACFTA will focus on sectors that benefit the interests of both parties(ASEAN and China), including the digital economy, green economy, non-tariff measures, consumer protection issues,and MSMEs, as well as the rearrangement of chapters structure of the ACFTA. 

In this meeting, AMS andChina also exchanged views and input on elements that might beaccommodated in the STRACAP ( Upgraded AFCTA Structure) chapter. Bothparties agreed to further explore the dispute settlement process in the next round ofnegotiations. Apart from that, the two parties also agreed to exploretechnical issues in Article6.5 International Standards, Guides, and Recommendations in the ACFTA STRACAP chapter.

Both ASEAN and China hopethat negotiations related to STRACAP will be advanced in the future. They are ready to coordinateintensively, in order to reach an agreement that is beneficial to both parties. 

The second round of negotiations is planned tobe held in the second quarter of 2023 in China on a hybrid basis./.

VNA
#ASEAN #China #FTA #Vietnam #Vietnamplus #Vietnam News Agency Indonesia
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

See more

A pregnant woman receives a routine pregnancy check-up at a hospital. (Photo: VNA)

ILO report highlights gaps in maternity benefits across ASEAN

The report calls for extending maternity protection to all women, including workers in the informal economy; strengthening financing mechanisms to ensure sustainability and adequacy of benefits; and aligning maternity protection policies with broader social protection, health and care policies.

President of Timor-Leste José Ramos-Horta (L) at the leadership lecture in Jakarta on June 2 hosted by the ERIA School of Government under the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA). (Photo: ERIA)

Timor-Leste President shares vision for peacebuilding, ASEAN integration

Drawing on his experience as a diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Ramos-Horta cited the reconciliation process between Timor-Leste and Indonesia as a model for peacebuilding. He paid tribute to former Indonesian leaders for their contributions to normalising bilateral ties, stressing that friendship and cooperation ultimately prevailed over past divisions and laid the foundation for Southeast Asia's stability today.

Southeast Asia tourism sustains rebound

Southeast Asia tourism sustains rebound

Indonesia welcomed 4.68 million foreigners in the first four months, an 8.24% hike from a year earlier and the highest tally for the period since the COVID-19 outbreak, its Central Bureau of Statistics said on June 3.

Indonesia replaces free school meal programme chief after food poisoning scandals

Indonesia replaces free school meal programme chief after food poisoning scandals

The free meal initiative forms part of Indonesia’s broader effort to tackle chronic malnutrition, with more than 20% of children in the country still affected by stunting caused by inadequate nutrition. Jakarta’s long-term goal is to provide meals to around 82.9 million children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, equivalent to more than 30% of the national population.

SAANSOOK application supports holistic health management and promotes workplace wellness to help reduce non-communicable diseases among working-age people. (Photo: SAANSOOK)

Thailand launches AI-powered tool to combat non-communicable diseases

Developed under the “DOPA” strategy – Data, Outcomes, Partners and AI-driven, the SAANSOOK application tracks four key health behaviours: eating, sleeping, exercising and relaxation. It encourages users to adopt healthier lifestyles through challenges and rewards aimed at sustaining long-term behavioural change.

Indonesia moves to diversify tourism investment flows

Indonesia moves to diversify tourism investment flows

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana stressed that Indonesia is not just Bali, it has numerous top destinations with vast tourist and investment potential, which are waiting for responsible and sustainable development efforts.

Biodiesel – Malaysia’s energy security buffer: Expert

Biodiesel – Malaysia’s energy security buffer: Expert

Malaysia has officially increased the biodiesel blending mandate in Peninsular Malaysia from B10 to B15. Under the new policy, diesel sold on the domestic market contains 15% biofuel and 85% petroleum-based diesel, economist and international relations expert, senior adviser at Global Asia Consulting Samirul Ariff Othman told the Vietnam News Agency's correspondent in Kuala Lumpur.

Indonesia tightens control over e-cigarettes

Indonesia tightens control over e-cigarettes

The head of Indonesia's Food and Drug Agency (BPOM), Taruna Ikrar, warned that the country is facing an "emergency" related to youth smoking and e-cigarette use. According to the agency, the smoking rate among children and adolescents has reached 7.4%, equivalent to more than 5 million minors nationwide.