On October 28, 2025, Mrs. Suphajee Suthumpun, Minister of Commerce, attended the 28th ASEAN – China Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and participated in the signing of the “ASEAN – China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol.”
The primary aim of this protocol is to modernize, increase transparency, and align the ASEAN – China Free Trade Agreement framework with the current economic landscape while further strengthening economic relations between Thailand and China.
Mrs. Suphajee stated that this achievement reflects Thailand’s role as ASEAN’s lead coordinator, driving negotiations to a conclusion. ACFTA is the most utilized FTA by ASEAN and serves as a critical mechanism facilitating trade between Thailand and China, with China being Thailand’s largest trading partner for over 12 consecutive years.
The key elements of ACFTA 3.0 focus on enhancing cooperation in key areas such as trade facilitation, improved customs procedures, industrial and agricultural standards, and economic and technical collaboration. New topics responding to 21st-century trade challenges are also incorporated, including digital economy, green economy, supply chain connectivity, consumer protection, and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The new agreement also sets a framework for technological cooperation, such as the adoption of digital systems for customs process improvement, carbon emission reduction, and online consumer protection—developments that will raise the competitiveness of Thailand and ASEAN over the long term.
The Minister of Commerce added that after the signing, ASEAN and China will proceed with their respective domestic processes before notifying the ASEAN Secretariat of readiness for the agreement’s entry into force. The Ministry of Commerce will assign the Department of Trade Negotiations to disseminate the protocol’s key points, hold public seminars, and prepare for parliamentary approval in the next phase.
From January – June 2025, total trade between ASEAN and China was valued at USD 429.80 billion, an increase of 18.65% from the previous year. Trade between Thailand and China from January – September 2025 reached USD 108.63 billion, a rise of 28.08% year-on-year; exports totaled USD 30.66 billion and imports USD 77.97 billion.
Thailand’s major exports to China included fresh and processed fruits, rubber products, computers and components, plastic pellets, tapioca products, and natural rubber. Main imports from China were electrical machinery, household electrical appliances, chemicals, steel, and computers.
The key imports from China to Thailand included electrical machinery and components, machinery and parts, household electrical appliances, chemicals, computers and accessories, as well as steel and steel products.
