Manila, Sept. 21 -- Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China on Monday to leverage their trading partnership to weather global supply chain disruptions and volatile energy prices.

Speaking at the opening of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM)-Ministry of Commerce Consultation in Pasay City, Roque highlighted the economic relationship of the two regions.

"China remains ASEAN's largest trading partner while ASEAN has become China's largest trading partner," she said.

Roque said that in 2024, two-way trade reached around USD771 billion.

"A partnership of this scale also carries responsibility. We must remain responsive to the needs of our economies and...