The ASEAN bloc of Southeast Asian nations and China on Tuesday signed an upgrade to their free trade agreement, which includes sections on digital, the green economy and other new industries, Beijing's Commerce Ministry said.

Beijing and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have signed an expanded free trade agreement as both sides face increased protectionism from the United States.

Beyond trade, cooperation between ASEAN and China can also be stepped up in areas such as connectivity and the green economy, says Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

The original soft power couple from post-war China was a pair of giant pandas, Ping Ping and Qi Qi, sent to the Soviet Union in 1957 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution, which led to the establishment of the world’s first Communist state.

With China dominating the global shipbuilding industry, and amid a port-fee dispute with Washington, the US president sees new strategic partnerships as critical.

Mariko Oi will be joined by regular guests from across the region, including South East Asia correspondent Jonathan Head and China correspondent Laura Bicker

China and Australia on Monday sought to keep ties on an even keel despite tensions over military encounters in the South China Sea and rivalry in the Asia-Pacific region, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese describing both sides as "friends".

The swing through Malaysia, Japan and South Korea is expected to test President Trump’s skills as a statesman and negotiator.