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.

President Trump met with the emir and prime minister of Qatar Saturday aboard Air Force One during a refueling stop.

President Trump's dealmaking is coming in handy as he inks rare earth mineral ventures with Japan and Australia with more likely in the pipeline.

Many countries in the region want to continue doing business while managing ties with China, the ex-prime minister says.

China is on a policy-fuelled push to turn the likes of drones and flying taxis into everyday business. Patchy progress and lagging rules risk grounding its sky-high ambitions.

This special report focuses on a historic $550 billion trade and defence pact signed by US President Donald Trump and Japan's first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, aimed at countering China's influence.

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".