China signs trade deal with Eurasian Economic Union

China and member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union on Thursday signed an agreement in Astana, Kazakhstan, to cut trade barriers and facilitate economic activities, said the Ministry of Commerce.

The ministry said this is the first institutional arrangement representing a new stage of enhanced cooperation between the two sides.

The economic and trade agreement covers 13 chapters, ranging from customs cooperation and trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, to government procurement, with new topics including e-commerce and market competition, according to the ministry.