(VOVworld) – China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) sealed a deal on Sunday to upgrade their free trade area (FTA), giving fresh impetus to regional economic cooperation.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and ASEAN members’ leaders attend a signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov. 22, 2015. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

The signing ceremony was witnessed by visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and leaders of ASEAN. Upgrade of the FTA was completed after just four rounds of talks which began in August 2014.

Covering a wide range of goods, services, investments, and economic and technological cooperation, the upgrade will boost economic growth for both China and ASEAN.