ASEAN, GCC, and China strengthen ties at summit
Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and China converged in Kuala Lumpur for a landmark summit. The gathering underscored the deeply rooted historical, civilisational, and economic ties between the three blocs, reaffirming a collective desire to enhance cooperation across various sectors.
Deepening Economic Partnerships
The summit highlighted the immense potential for greater cross-sectoral trade, investment, and economic collaboration, leveraging the diverse and complementary economies of ASEAN, GCC, and China.
A significant outcome was the commitment to strengthening economic cooperation, with immediate priorities including the full conclusion of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations and the early conclusion of China-GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Leaders also explored the establishment of a regional business council to facilitate dialogue and boost trade and investment flows.
Addressing Regional Challenges and Global Concerns
A key focus of the summit was the volatile situation in the Middle East. Leaders expressed grave concerns over recent developments, issuing a strong condemnation of all attacks against civilians. They called for a durable ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian aid access throughout Gaza, and the restoration of essential services.
The joint statement also urged all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, in line with relevant UN resolutions. The leaders acknowledged the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on July 19, 2024, regarding the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and welcomed Qatar's mediation efforts and China's role in Palestinian internal reconciliation.
Future-Forward Cooperation
Beyond immediate concerns, the summit laid the groundwork for future collaboration in critical areas such as energy security and sustainability, digital transformation, and food and agriculture. Commitments were made to promote sustainable energy transitions, diversify supply chains for critical minerals, and explore new business opportunities in clean energy.
In the digital sphere, leaders aim to foster a cross-regional framework for the digital economy, encompassing e-commerce, fintech, and AI. The summit concluded with a pledge to advance inclusivity, sustainability, resilience, and equal partnership, charting a collective path toward a peaceful, prosperous, and equitable future for all regions involved.
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