New Delhi, Oct. 28 -- China signed an expanded version of a free trade agreement Tuesday with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang pitching expanded economic ties with his country as an alternative to the protectionist policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Li Qiang told an ASEAN-China summit meeting after the signing that closer cooperation could help overcome global economic uncertainties. He said "pursuing confrontation instead of solidarity brings no benefit" in the face of economic coercion and bullying, in a swipe at the U.S.

"Unity is strength," he said, citing remarks by President Xi Jinping made during a Southeast Asia visit earlier this year.

His remarks were met with skepticism by Phili...