Asean, China seal free trade agreement upgrade

Kuala Lumpur

AFTER a last-minute hitch which stopped Asean and China from signing an agreement on Saturday to upgrade their existing free trade, officials from both sides worked overnight to resolve the issue. The agreement was finally inked on Sunday before the 27th Asean Summit was wrapped up.

A statement issued by Malaysia, the summit's host, said the Protocol To Amend The Framework Agreement On Comprehensive Economic Co-Operation Between Asean and China was signed by the economic ministers of both sides, witnessed by their leaders.