Russian foreign minister says Moscow defended North Korea's interests in its absence at Southeast Asian bloc's summit in Malaysia, praises military cooperation between countries - Anadolu Ajansı

SHANGHAI - China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have agreed to submit a pact upgrading their free trade areas to their leaders for approval in October, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said on Saturday.

To develop a more coordinated regional response to economic headwinds and rising trade tensions, ASEAN foreign and economic ministers are set to hold a joint meeting in October ahead of a leaders' summit.

China and ASEAN have reached an agreement to upgrade their free trade area, targeting a new pact for approval by leaders in October. The updated trade zone will focus on digital, green economies, and supply chain connectivity.

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan says that he will present the wishlist when he heads to Naypyidaw in two months.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says there are “areas of potential cooperation” between Washington and Beijing.

Asean has emerged as a trusted platform by global superpowers and countries are "queuing" up to sign up as partners to the regional group, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

British foreign minister David Lammy said on Friday that he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the Southeast Asian block ASEAN's summit in Malaysia.

In a joint communique issued following the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Wednesday (July 9), the foreign ministers acknowledged the commitment of the Asean Ministers Responsible for Information (Amri) in promoting the safe and responsible use of social media platforms.