Commerce Ministry pushes ACFTA 3.0 for ASEAN-China trade

Matichon•Economy•16d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Foreign Trade is monitoring the ACFTA 3.0 protocol to enhance trade cooperation between ASEAN and China.

•The Cabinet approved the proposal of the ACFTA 3.0 protocol to Parliament on June 10, 2026.
•ACFTA 3.0 introduces new cooperation in five areas, including the digital economy and green economy.
•Seven ASEAN countries, including Thailand, have completed their domestic processes for the protocol.
•The protocol will take effect within 60 days after China completes its domestic processes.

•ASEAN and China signed the ACFTA 3.0 protocol on October 28, 2025, during the 47th ASEAN Summit.
•The Cabinet resolved on June 10, 2026, to propose the ACFTA 3.0 protocol to Parliament for approval.
•ACFTA 3.0 upgrades the second ASEAN-China Free Trade Area agreement, which was first signed in 2002.
•ACFTA 3.0 provides trade advantages such as express goods clearance within 6 hours and an electronic paperless system (EODES).
•In 2025, trade between ASEAN and China was valued at 916,149.74 million USD, growing by 18.59 percent from the previous year.
•During the first 6 months of 2026, ASEAN-China trade value was 641,000 million USD, with ASEAN exporting 234,800 million USD and importing 406,200 million USD.
•Thailand is the third-largest trading partner of China within the ASEAN group, following Vietnam and Malaysia.
•The Department of Foreign Trade will monitor and report ACFTA 3.0 progress to help Thai entrepreneurs maximize benefits.

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Arada Fueangthong(นางอารดา เฟื่องทอง)

Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce.

Department of Foreign Trade(กรมการค้าต่างประเทศ)

An agency under the Ministry of Commerce responsible for protecting trade interests and facilitating imports and exports.

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️

The ministry overseeing the Department of Foreign Trade.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)(สมาคมประชาชาติแห่งเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ (อาเซียน))

A regional organization that signed the ACFTA 3.0 protocol with China.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The body that approved proposing the ACFTA 3.0 protocol to Parliament on June 10, 2026.

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The body tasked with considering and approving the ACFTA 3.0 protocol according to the constitution.

China(จีน)ℹ️

The top trading partner of ASEAN for 16 consecutive years.

Malaysia(มาเลเซีย)ℹ️

An ASEAN member country that has completed domestic processes for ACFTA 3.0 and is the second-largest ASEAN trading partner of China.

Vietnam(เวียดนาม)ℹ️

An ASEAN member country that has completed domestic processes for ACFTA 3.0 and is the largest ASEAN trading partner of China.

Singapore(สิงคโปร์)ℹ️

An ASEAN member country that has completed domestic processes for ACFTA 3.0.

Indonesia(อินโดนีเซีย)ℹ️

An ASEAN member country that has completed domestic processes for ACFTA 3.0.

Philippines(ฟิลิปปินส์)ℹ️

An ASEAN member country that has completed domestic processes for ACFTA 3.0.

Lao PDR(สปป.ลาว)ℹ️

An ASEAN member country that has completed domestic processes for ACFTA 3.0.

Thailand(ไทย)ℹ️

An ASEAN member country that has completed domestic processes for ACFTA 3.0 and is the third-largest ASEAN trading partner of China.

ACFTA 3.0

A protocol upgrading the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area to strengthen trade relations through five new cooperation areas.