China has been a fierce critic of sweeping U.S. tariffs that Trump announced on April 2. He later delayed the implementation of most but China, which has said it will respond with its own tariffs on U.S. imports, now faces a deadline next month to negotiate a deal.

Chinese foreign minister, ahead of the ninth anniversary of the ruling, says it was ‘orchestrated and manipulated by external powers’.

China and ASEAN have reached an agreement to upgrade their free trade area, targeting a new pact for approval by leaders in October. The updated trade zone will focus on digital, green economies, and supply chain connectivity.