The willingness of China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations members to build the 21st century maritime Silk Road will inject impetus into upgrading the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area over the long term, industry experts said.

Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng said on Tuesday that economic and trade ministers of ASEAN countries have reached a consensus to work with China to accelerate the development of the maritime Silk Road, according to a news release posted on the ministry's website on Wednesday.

Chinese and ASEAN ministers also agreed to negotiate on upgrading the regional trade area to ensure it will remain dynamic and commercially relevant.