KUALA LUMPUR – The official signing of the upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA 3.0) and the handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship to the Philippines will cap the final day of the 47th ASEAN Summit.
The ACFTA 3.0 Upgrade signing, scheduled from 9 am to 9.20 am, will launch the day’s events, drawing ASEAN heads of state and Chinese leaders.
Marking a new milestone, the ACFTA 3.0 Upgrade reinforces the ASEAN-China strategic partnership, committing the bloc to stronger regional economic resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability.
The day proceeds with the 28th ASEAN-China Summit from 9.30 am to 10.30 am. Additionally, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines.
The schedule also includes a series of crucial meetings between ASEAN leaders and three key partners: China, New Zealand, and Australia.
The midday schedule features the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit at 12 pm, concluding with a Gala Lunch for all ASEAN heads of state and government.
The 5th ASEAN-Australia Summit will convene at 2.30 pm, where leaders from both sides will seek new avenues to strengthen economic and strategic cooperation.
The day culminates with the closing ceremony and the official Handover of the ASEAN Chairmanship to the Philippines, scheduled from 3.45 pm to 4.15 pm.
The summit will officially conclude at 4:30 pm with a final press conference led by ASEAN Chair, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The 47th ASEAN Summit, concluding its massive three-day gathering (Oct 26-28), served as a vital platform for regional and global leaders to forge stronger cooperation and chart the future of the bloc.
The meetings addressed regional and global challenges, with the Philippines set to assume the ASEAN chairmanship from Malaysia in 2026. – October 28, 2025