China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 to boost regional prosperity: expert

The successful conclusion of negotiations on Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) is expected to foster the creation of a China-ASEAN community with a shared future, while driving development across the region, said an Indonesian expert on Saturday.

After nine rounds of talks in nearly two years, China and the ten ASEAN member countries have officially wrapped up their negotiations on the upgraded CAFTA, the Ministry of Commerce announced last Wednesday.

During an interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Mohammad Faisal, executive director of Indonesia's Center of Reform on Economics (CORE), emphasized that the green economy focus in the updated CAFTA represents an "upgraded" dimension of ASEAN-China economic cooperation, marking significant progress.

"The green economy, I think is something that is quite new. So, it can be seen as an upgraded characteristic of the relationship for economic cooperation between ASEAN and China," said Faisal.

Faisal underscored the pivotal role of the updated CAFTA in advancing broader and deeper regional economic integration under new circumstances.

"Each government should engage and involve the private sector to utilize this ongoing FTA to promote green economy, digital economy, supply chain connectivity, in order to address current issues," said Faisal.

Amid rising protectionism, Faisal said that the completion of the upgraded CAFTA signifies a resolute commitment to uphold free trade principles, resisting unilateralism and protectionism from certain major powers, which will inject greater certainty into regional and global trade development, boosting confidence in regional and global economic growth.

"Because of the 'set back' of free trade progress, a sort of 'set back' triggered by the United States' recent foreign policy. So, many believe that the world has started to move from globalization to de-globalization. So, this reasoning CAFTA negotiations can be seen as a repelling move or a fight back to that turns towards the de-globalization," said Faisal.

The formal signing of the upgraded CAFTA is expected to take place before the end of the year. The CAFTA was first signed in 2002 and came into force on Jan 1, 2010.

ASEAN, which consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, is China's largest trading partner. In 2024, bilateral trade amounted to 6.99 trillion yuan (about 970.21 billion U.S. dollars). In recent years, ASEAN has maintained its position as China's largest trading partner.

China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 to boost regional prosperity: expert

Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Italy and Greece on Saturday to protest against U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, with protesters in Rome, Milan and Athens condemning Washington's actions and calling for respect for Venezuelan sovereignty.

In Rome, more than 1,000 demonstrators marched toward the area near the U.S. Embassy, calling on Washington to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Police blocked roads around the embassy to prevent protesters from approaching the building, but demonstrators continued to denounce U.S. actions.

"First of all, we oppose U.S. imperialist aggression. This kind of behavior is shameful. The U.S. is attacking a sovereign country, and as [U.S. President Donald] Trump himself has said, this is for oil interests," said protester Giovanni Barbera.

Saturday's rally marked the second large-scale protest in Rome this month against U.S. military operations in Venezuela, following an earlier one on on Jan 3.

Participants included members of multiple political parties, labor unions and social organizations. The protesters held banners reading "Stop imperialist interference" and "Free Maduro," urging the international community to respect Venezuela's sovereignty and the will of its people, and condemning the U.S. for violating international law.

"We are protesting the way the U.S. handles international politics. Since the events of January 3, we have seen violations of international law, and we are very concerned about how the global situation is developing," said protester Stefano De Angelis.

Organizers said solidarity rallies in support of Venezuela were held in 30 Italian cities on the same day.

Meanwhile, similar protests were also staged in Greece. About 200 people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Athens, voicing support for Venezuela and opposition to U.S. military actions.

"We oppose U.S. imperialism and its attack on Venezuela. At the same time, the U.S. is also threatening Cuba, Mexico and Greenland. We must stand up against this behavior," said Greek protester Argiro Sirmakezi.

Protesters rally in Italy, Greece against U.S. military operation in Venezuela