In 2025, against the backdrop of the severe impact of unilateralism and protectionism on the global economic and trade order, China and ASEAN steadily advanced cooperation and development, and jointly promoted a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

China has always supported ASEAN and worked with its member countries to maintain the stability of the region's trading system and the smooth operation of regional industrial and supply chains.

In the first 11 months of 2025, ASEAN was China's largest trading partner. China's imports and exports with ASEAN exceeded 930 billion USD, up 8.5 percent year on year.

Through high-level opening up, China has continuously shared the opportunities of its super-large market with ASEAN countries.

In the first 10 months of 2025, the trade volume of agricultural products and food between the two reached 51.3 billion USD, increasing by 8.9 percent year on year. China's imports of dried and fresh fruit from ASEAN exceeded 10 billion USD, accounting for more than two-thirds of its global imports.

Cross-border connection projects have injected impetus into regional prosperity. For example, the China-Laos railway and Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway have driven economic development along their routes.

Industrial parks are further promoting the integration of industrial chains. The China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park and Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park under the model of "Two Countries, Twin Parks" have boosted regional growth.

Flagship projects such as the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park are contributing to the development of regional economy and society.

The China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 28, marks the China-ASEAN free trade area cooperation and regional economic integration moving beyond trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.

The upgrade also covers new, high-potential fields like digital economy, green economy, supply chain interconnectivity, competition and consumer protection, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

The China-ASEAN Year of People-To-People Exchange 2024-2025 concluded in December. Over the past two years, China and ASEAN have jointly held nearly 200 people-to-people and cultural exchange activities, promoting cultural affinity and mutual understanding.

China has launched the "ASEAN Visa" for the 10 ASEAN countries and ASEAN observer Timor-Leste, on the basis of comprehensive mutual visa exemption with countries such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, as well as the issuance of the "Lancang-Mekong Visa" for Mekong River nations, to facilitate cross-border travel within the region.

From mutual visits to educational cooperation, from a significant increase in the number of two-way tourists to frequent cultural festivals and events, China and ASEAN have been constantly expanding channels for people-to-people exchanges, and the emotional ties between their people have grown stronger.