Abstract: With the further deepening of the free trade area between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the complementary enhancement of China-ASEAN agricultural products trade, the volume of agricultural food products trade between the two parties has been rapidly increasing year by year. However, due to the differences in the regulations and standards for agricultural food products in China and ASEAN, there are many existing and potential barriers to bilateral trade. In this article, we summarize the major regulations and standards for agricultural food products in China and ASEAN, and we highlight the similarities and differences between their basic laws and quality and safety standards for agricultural food products. We conclude that these differences have become potential factors restricting China-ASEAN agricultural products trade. Lastly, some countermeasures and suggestions on weakening the trade barriers and promoting China-ASEAN agricultural trade are also proposed.

Key words: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), agricultural food products, regulations, standards, comparative analysis