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The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
China, Asean, GCC forge innovative trilateral cooperation amid global risks
KUALA LUMPUR (Xinhua): Amid escalating global challenges, China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have forged a groundbreaking path in cross-regional cooperation. In a historic move, they convened a landmark trilateral summit in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia -- Asean's current chair -- marking a bold step toward collective resilience, economic synergy, and a shared vision for prosperity. At the inaugural Asean-China-GCC Summit on Tuesday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called on the three parties to set a global benchmark in openness, development cooperation and cross-civilisation integration. His call comes at a critical juncture, as rising protectionism and escalating geopolitical tensions threaten to fracture the international order. Amid global economic headwinds and mounting uncertainties, Li noted that by strengthening connectivity and collaboration, the three sides can forge a vibrant economic circle and a powerful engine for growth, which holds profound significance not only for their respective prosperity but also for advancing peace and development across Asia and the world. "As some countries are becoming more protectionist and isolationist, the summit was a good initiative and effort to counter these emerging trends," said Lee Pei May, a political expert at the International Islamic University Malaysia. "The summit proves that economies can complement rather than compete with one another, easing the worries that countries can only develop if they turn inward," Lee added. At the tripartite gathering, Li urged all sides to work together to build a model of global cooperation and development in three aspects -- creating a model of cross-region openness, forging a model of cooperation across different development stages, and fostering a model of cross-civilisation integration. At the summit, the leaders committed to further strengthening Belt and Road cooperation, with a focus on deepening ties in connectivity, trade, industrial and supply chains, agriculture, energy, finance, and the digital economy. They pledged to accelerate trilateral integration, fostering robust, inclusive, and sustainable development for all. The summit adopted a joint statement, which was hailed as "detailed, elaborate" and a strong message of trilateral solidarity and cooperation by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In the joint statement, the relevant countries acknowledged their joint efforts to promote closer cooperation between Asean, GCC and China, and China's vision to build a closer Asean-China community with a shared future and a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era. Andrew Kam Jia Yi, senior research fellow with the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies at the National University of Malaysia, said the summit highlights how the strengths of each party can complement one another. "The GCC's energy and financial resources, Asean's growing consumer base, and China's technological and financial capacities together create more resilient supply chains and boost food and energy security for all," he said. Following the summit, Li also delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of the Asean-China-GCC Economic Forum 2025. He emphasised China's commitment to energising trilateral cooperation through its high-quality development, pledging to firmly expand high-level opening up, promote mutual reinforcement between domestic and international circulations and share the opportunities of China's development with countries of Asean and GCC, and enterprises from around the world. The trilateral cooperation mechanism not only fosters collaborative agreements across regions but also creates a novel platform of communication and dialogue for the Global South countries to closely coordinate on regional and international affairs and amplify their voices on the global stage. The joint statement recognises the need to strengthen confidence in the rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation at its core, and reaffirms the countries' resolve to make economic globalisation more open, inclusive, balanced, and beneficial to their peoples and future generations. During talks with other leaders on the sidelines of the summit, the Chinese premier voiced China's readiness to push for a greater role of the Global South in improving global governance. In his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Li said that China looks to strengthen communication and cooperation with Vietnam and jointly protect the common interests of the Global South countries. During their meeting a day before the summit, Li told Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, crown prince of Kuwait, that China is committed to strengthening communication and coordination with Kuwait through various multilateral platforms to push for more just and equitable global governance and a more harmonious, stable and prosperous world. The trilateral summit "encourages other regions to pursue similar models of collaboration," Kam said. "It is a sign of growing solidarity, where countries of the Global South are working together to shape their own futures, assert their priorities on the global stage, and build a more equitable and stable world order from the ground up," the scholar added.- Xinhua
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
China, Asean, GCC forge innovative trilateral cooperation amid global risks
Li attends the Asean-China-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 27, 2025. – Xinhua photo KUALA LUMPUR (May 28): Amid escalating global challenges, China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have forged a groundbreaking path in cross-regional cooperation. In a historic move, they convened a landmark trilateral summit in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia – Asean's current chair – marking a bold step toward collective resilience, economic synergy, and a shared vision for prosperity. At the inaugural Asean-China-GCC Summit on Tuesday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called on the three parties to set a global benchmark in openness, development cooperation and cross-civilisation integration. His call comes at a critical juncture, as rising protectionism and escalating geopolitical tensions threaten to fracture the international order. Amid global economic headwinds and mounting uncertainties, Li noted that by strengthening connectivity and collaboration, the three sides can forge a vibrant economic circle and a powerful engine for growth, which holds profound significance not only for their respective prosperity but also for advancing peace and development across Asia and the world. 'As some countries are becoming more protectionist and isolationist, the summit was a good initiative and effort to counter these emerging trends,' said Lee Pei May, a political expert at the International Islamic University Malaysia. 'The summit proves that economies can complement rather than compete with one another, easing the worries that countries can only develop if they turn inward,' Lee added. At the tripartite gathering, Li urged all sides to work together to build a model of global cooperation and development in three aspects – creating a model of cross-region openness, forging a model of cooperation across different development stages, and fostering a model of cross-civilisation integration. Li attends the Asean-China-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 27, 2025. – Xinhua photo At the summit, the leaders committed to further strengthening Belt and Road cooperation, with a focus on deepening ties in connectivity, trade, industrial and supply chains, agriculture, energy, finance, and the digital economy. They pledged to accelerate trilateral integration, fostering robust, inclusive, and sustainable development for all. The summit adopted a joint statement, which was hailed as 'detailed, elaborate' and a strong message of trilateral solidarity and cooperation by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In the joint statement, the relevant countries acknowledged their joint efforts to promote closer cooperation between Asean, GCC and China, and China's vision to build a closer Asean-China community with a shared future and a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era. Andrew Kam Jia Yi, senior research fellow with the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies at the National University of Malaysia, said the summit highlights how the strengths of each party can complement one another. 'The GCC's energy and financial resources, Asean's growing consumer base, and China's technological and financial capacities together create more resilient supply chains and boost food and energy security for all,' he said. Following the summit, Li also delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of the Asean-China-GCC Economic Forum 2025. He emphasised China's commitment to energising trilateral cooperation through its high-quality development, pledging to firmly expand high-level opening up, promote mutual reinforcement between domestic and international circulations and share the opportunities of China's development with countries of Asean and GCC, and enterprises from around the world. The trilateral cooperation mechanism not only fosters collaborative agreements across regions, but creates a novel platform of communication and dialogue for the Global South countries to closely coordinate on regional and international affairs and amplify their voices on the global stage. The joint statement recognises the need to strengthen confidence in the rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation at its core, and reaffirms the countries' resolve to make economic globalisation more open, inclusive, balanced, and beneficial to their peoples and future generations. During talks with other leaders on the sidelines of the summit, the Chinese premier voiced China's readiness to push for a greater role of the Global South in improving global governance. In his meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Li said that China looks to strengthen communication and cooperation with Vietnam and jointly protect the common interests of the Global South countries. During their meeting a day before the summit, Li told Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, crown prince of Kuwait, that China is committed to strengthening communication and coordination with Kuwait through various multilateral platforms to push for more just and equitable global governance and a more harmonious, stable and prosperous world. The trilateral summit 'encourages other regions to pursue similar models of collaboration,' Kam said. 'It is a sign of growing solidarity, where countries of the Global South are working together to shape their own futures, assert their priorities on the global stage, and build a more equitable and stable world order from the ground up,' the scholar added. – Xinhua Asean-China-GCC Summit China Li Qiang Xinhua
The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Trilateral summit to reshape Asia-Pacific dynamics
PETALING JAYA: The inaugural Asean, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China Summit set to take place on Tuesday will mark a new phase in the grouping's regional diplomacy amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Asia West East Centre (Asia WE), director and co-founder Abdolreza Alami said the summit has the potential to redefine order in the Asia-Pacific region and by leveraging the existing trade framework, it seeks to counter external pressures from US tariffs. 'By focusing on economic, energy and security cooperation, the summit strengthens regional autonomy, positioning this triangle as a counterweight to Western-dominated systems,' he said. Abdolreza said in 2023, Asean-China trade reached US$911.7bil while GCC-China trade hit US$316bil and this underscores the robust economic foundation of this partnership. 'This summit offers Malaysia a chance to showcase its diplomatic leadership, making it a calculated step towards strengthening a regional group, not a high-stakes gamble,' he added. Universiti Malaya International and Strategic Studies Department's Assoc Prof Khoo Ying Hooi said aligning these countries will be challenging, given the different political systems and worldviews. 'There is also the risk of Asean's own agenda getting sidelined as bigger powers take centre stage. 'While this summit opens a new chapter in trilateral engagement, its long-term value depends on whether it empowers Asean or merely pulls it deeper into external rivalries,' she said. Khoo said neutrality, which is Asean's advantage, is becoming increasingly harder to maintain as geopolitical tensions rise. 'Closer ties with China and the GCC are economically logical, but politically, they open Asean up to questions about alignment,' she said. Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute analyst Anas Hayyan said the trilateral summit was a strategic move and it reflects Asean's confidence to act as a regional group with leverage. 'Instead of picking sides in a polarised world, Asean is showing it can create value by connecting regions,' he said. He warned that challenges still lie ahead, among them the contentious South China Sea disputes. 'Geopolitical tensions, particularly in the South China Sea, could strain Asean-China relations, with some Asean nations cautious of China's assertiveness,' he said. Anas also commended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's quiet breakthrough in Myanmar, where unprecedented talks were held between the military junta and the opposition National Unity Government. 'But the Myanmar crisis poses a challenge as Asean struggles to advance the Five-Point Consensus amid ongoing conflict and the recent earthquake,' he added. Wisma Putra said the summit is expected to formalise shared objectives between Asean, China and GCC countries in economic and digital connectivity, infrastructure and sustainable development. Former ambassador Datuk Ilango Karuppannan said trilateral meetings highlight a growing awareness in the Global South that countries and regions can work together based on mutual interest, without waiting for approval from traditional powers. 'This summit could be a turning point on the emerging multipolar world – a rare moment when Asean isn't just reacting, but shaping global dynamics,' said Ilango, who is also a Universiti Malaya (UM) adjunct professor of regional and global affairs. But he stressed the importance of Asean maintaining its neutrality, which could be under pressure as it seeks deeper ties with both China and GCC countries. The 46th Asean Summit will take place tomorrow, followed by the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit, followed by the Asean-GCC-China Summit. Wisma Putra is taking the lead in organising the summits under Malaysia's Asean chairmanship this year.
New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Li Qiang at Asean-GCC-China Summit boosts regional cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese Premier Li Qiang's presence at the inaugural Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur next week reflects China's strong commitment to regional cooperation. President of the Asean Development Partnership Chamber of Commerce Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said Li's attendance is also expected to inject fresh impetus into Asean-China economic and trade relations. According to Tee, in the current climate of global economic uncertainty, countries are actively seeking new strategic partners to reduce reliance on a single economic bloc and to enhance economic resilience. "China's rise as a global economic power has opened significant opportunities for regional countries," he told Bernama. Tee said China's proposed "dual circulation" development strategy, which combines domestic market development with international cooperation, has immense potential for Asean member countries. He said China could increase investment in technology and resources in Asean, using local raw materials to produce goods and subsequently export them to the Chinese market, fulfilling domestic demand while driving mutual economic growth. For example, he noted that agricultural cooperation between Malaysia and China has a promising future. In addition to importing durians and young coconuts from Malaysia, both countries could expand collaboration in agricultural technology and green agriculture. Through technological innovation, the value add from agriculture can be improved, and a sustainable supply chain can be established. "As Asean economies grow, they will also import more products from China. If these transactions are conducted using the renminbi, it will strengthen regional financial cooperation," he said. Tee also emphasised that Asean-China cooperation should be mutually beneficial based on win-win outcomes, and not via the influx of cheap goods that harm local retail industries. "Healthy cooperation boosts mutual competitiveness and brings prosperity to both sides," Tee said. He added that Asean's economic rise will amplify its voice and influence on the international stage, making the region more resilient in facing global economic uncertainties. Therefore, Tee is hopeful that the summit will stimulate the Malaysian and regional economy. "Leaders must reach consensus on strengthening intra-Asean trade, harmonising regulatory frameworks, and reducing trade barriers to build a more robust and resilient regional economic system," he added.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Fahmi: KL Declaration to be launched during Asean Summit 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Declaration, a set of key documents representing the culmination of the upcoming Asean Summit 2025, will be officially launched during Asean Summit 2025, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said today. "God willing, in conjunction with the Asean Summit, one of the key documents that will be launched is the Kuala Lumpur Declaration," he said at a press conference after inspecting preparations at the summit's International Media Centre at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here. He said once the Kuala Lumpur Declaration is formally launched, the Foreign Ministry and the Asean Secretariat will ensure that media representatives receive information on the various documents contained within the declaration. The minister said the summit serves as a valuable opportunity for Malaysia to demonstrate leadership, not only as the host nation but also on the international stage as a neutral and pragmatic player. "We want to trade with countries that want to trade with us, that are open to establishing relations with us. Likewise, we will establish relations with them," he said. Fahmi also urged the public and media to obtain accurate information from credible sources throughout the summit, warning of the dangers posed by disinformation on social media. "Refer only to official and verified sources, for example, Bernama or RTM, as well as other credible media partners, not to social media accounts where the content cannot be verified," he said. During the Asean Summit 2024 in Vientiane, Laos, the chairman announced a series of declarations and agreements, including those on climate change, the protection of migrant workers, sustainable agriculture, and biosafety and biosecurity. The summit also saw the declaration of the completion of Asean-China Free Trade Area 3.0 negotiations, progress on the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (Defa), and a reaffirmation of Asean centrality in regional geopolitics and security amid ongoing US-China competition.
