Xu Ningning, Chief Commercial Expert on China-ASEAN Cooperation and Chairman of the RCEP Industrial Cooperation Committee, shared his insights into China-ASEAN regional economic cooperation in an interview with CGTN reporter Xing Ruinan. He believes that the upgrade protocol of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) will inject new impetus into bilateral cooperation. Having been in force for over three years, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – the world's largest free trade area – has strengthened cooperation among 15 countries in trade, industry and investment. He also highlighted the pioneering role of agricultural trade cooperation and the growing opportunities between China and ASEAN countries in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and digital economy, pointing to new directions for the future development of the regional economy.