China-ASEAN relations set to strengthen and broaden

China and ASEAN members are making continued efforts to promote the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and expect to achieve significant results by the end of this year, the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday.

This is part of the two sides' ongoing endeavors to further boost their ties, following a protocol signed in 2015 on upgrading the China-ASEAN free trade agreement. The protocol took effect on July 1, 2016.

Ministry spokesman Gao Feng said: "To further boost China-ASEAN cooperation is of great significance to regional economic integration, stability and development ... and China is willing to work with all parties to this end."