There is still great potential in Chinese investment in Malaysia and ASEAN, though China is already the largest trading partner of the region, Suhaimi Ilias, chief economist of Malaysia's leading bank Maybank said.
It's been dubbed the "ASEAN car" -- the idea that the Southeast Asian countries could collaborate on the production of a vehicle for their region, and for wider export.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend a series of leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation during his visit this week to Myanmar.
Through the agreement, the US expects to regain control of global trade because it is wary of the growing influence of developing countries.