Latest news with #Asean-GCC-China
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
China's Li Qiang calls for ‘vibrant economic circle' with Asean, Gulf states
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday urged Asean and Gulf state leaders to increase cooperation with Beijing, his call coming at a time when China is seeking to strengthen global economic ties amid intractable trade tensions with the US. Addressing the inaugural summit involving China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Li said that the three sides could create a 'vibrant economic circle' through deeper exchanges to benefit each nation as well as global development. 'We should firmly grasp this historical opportunity, continuously enrich the power of trilateral cooperation, and strive to create a model of global cooperation and development,' he said in his opening remarks at the event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Li also called for greater regional development and the building of a 'large shared market', where resources, technologies and talent flowed more efficiently and where there was 'freer and more convenient trade and investment'. China, he said, was willing to deepen strategic alignment and strengthen the coordination of macroeconomic policies with Asean and GCC countries on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment. The six GCC states are Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, while Asean's 10 members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Li's trip to the Malaysian capital for the Asean-GCC-China summit comes close on the heels of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Kuala Lumpur during a regional tour last month. Beijing appears to be intensifying its efforts to strengthen Asean ties while there is no sign of trade tensions with the United States easing. During talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Monday, Li called for deeper bilateral exchanges and trade cooperation, while urging the two countries to safeguard free trade and the global trading system. China was willing to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication and enhance cultural cooperation with Malaysia, Li said. He also urged the two countries to continue expanding trade and investment cooperation, focusing on areas such as the digital economy, green economy and artificial intelligence, state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday. Li also told Anwar that countries attending the three-way summit must strengthen coordination and 'uphold open regionalism and true multilateralism' in a world confronted with rising unilateralism and protectionism. 'China is ready to work closely with Malaysia to take the event as an opportunity to push for closer economic cooperation among the three sides, build a model of global cooperation and development, jointly safeguard free trade and the multilateral trading system, and address global challenges together, so as to contribute greater stability, certainty and positive energy to a turbulent world,' he said. Observers said the back-to-back visits by China's top two leaders underscored Malaysia's strategic significance as Asean's rotating chair this year, as well as the bloc's broader importance to China amid the tariff war unleashed by US President Donald Trump. During his tour of Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia in April, Xi positioned China as a stable partner, advocating for stronger cooperation to resist 'unilateral bullying' by the US and to 'safeguard our shared Asian home'. Ties between China and Malaysia were ushering in 'a new golden era', Xi said during a meeting with Anwar, who has visited China three times since taking office in November 2022. Unlike the Philippines and Vietnam, each of which has competing territorial claims with Beijing in the South China Sea, Malaysia under Anwar has edged closer to China, prioritising economic cooperation while downplaying maritime disputes. China has remained Malaysia's largest trading partner for the past 15 years, while China and Asean continue to be each other's top trade partners. Despite a 90-day tariff truce agreed by China and the US after talks in Geneva earlier this month, Asean members have been left facing an increasingly delicate balancing act between the world's two largest economies – with Beijing warning trade partners against making deals with the US at China's expense. Anwar described the gathering with China and the GCC as an opportunity to foster new cooperation that could help insulate Asean's economy from external shocks. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
![[UPDATED] Anwar: Businesses must seize the economic momentum established by leaders](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FHQ270525HR044_1748351424.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Anwar: Businesses must seize the economic momentum established by leaders](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Anwar: Businesses must seize the economic momentum established by leaders
KUALA LUMPUR: The business community of Asean, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China must seize the economic momentum established by their leaders and turn it into tangible outcomes. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that while governments have laid the groundwork for stronger regional cooperation, the private sector must now step up to ensure that the ambitions of shared prosperity and deeper integration are fully realised. "We have done our part. The political leadership has assured you of stability and given you the policy clarity, attractive investments, and the promotion of new technology. "We will do whatever is necessary to promote investments and make our countries attractive to investors. "Now that we have finished our session, the ball is in your court. The business community, the corporate players, the captains of industry must seize the moment and do whatever is necessary, because we have given our support and policy clarity," he said in his opening remarks at the Asean-GCC-China gala dinner, held in conjunction with the Asean-GCC Economic Forum 2025. Anwar praised the collective leadership of Asean, the GCC and China for reaching a consensus that outlines shared principles of good governance, clear economic policy and prioritising citizens' welfare. "As such, I salute all our Asean, GCC and China leaders. We have proven that it can be done. "I look forward to this Asean-GCC-China Economic Summit because we want to see results, and it is now your (business community's) duty to act and ensure that our countries benefit from one another. "There is so much synergy, so much collaboration needed, and so much hope to fulfil the aspirations of our countries." The high-level summit, hosted by Malaysia as Asean Chair, brought together leaders from both regional blocs to strengthen cooperation across political, economic and security domains. The 46th Asean Summit, held under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship theme, "Inclusivity and Sustainability", marks the country's fifth term as Asean Chair, following previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Businesses must seize the economic momentum established by leaders
KUALA LUMPUR: The business community of Asean, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China must seize the economic momentum established by their leaders and turn it into tangible outcomes. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that while governments have laid the groundwork for stronger regional cooperation, the private sector must now step up to ensure that these ambitions are fully realised. "We have done our part. "The political leadership has assured you of stability and provided clear policies. There are attractive investment opportunities and policies that promote new technology. "We will do whatever is necessary to promote investments and make our countries attractive to investors. "Now that we have concluded our session, the ball is in your court. "The business community, corporate players, the captains of industry must seize the moment and do whatever is necessary, because we have provided the support and clarity of policies," he said in his opening remarks at the Asean-GCC-China gala dinner today.
Malaysian Reserve
3 days ago
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Sultan of Brunei resting in IJN, Anwar confirms
by FARAH SOLHI BRUNEI'S Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (picture) is 'feeling a bit tired' and is currently resting at the National Heart Institution (IJN), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirms. This follows a recent rumour circulating social media platforms saying that he is hospitalised in Kuala Lumpur. The Sultan arrived in Kuala Lumpur on May 25, leading Brunei's delegation to the 46th ASEAN Summit. A source told Reuters that he was hospitalised between the Asean-GCC and Asean-GCC-China summit. His presence alongside the delegation underscores the country's strong commitment to regional cooperation, where at the previous Summit held in October last year, Sultan Hassanal highlighted pressing matters including climate change issues. Malaysia, in chairing ASEAN for the fifth time, adopts the theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability' in reflecting its commitment to foster a united, resilient and forward-looking ASEAN community. The Summit, held on May 26 and 27 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre also featured the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Brunei sultan in KL hospital for ‘fatigue'
Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (centre) was admitted to the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur due to fatigue. PHOTO: AFP KUALA LUMPUR - Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was admitted to the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur on May 27 due to fatigue, the Malaysian prime minister has confirmed. The sultan is in Kuala Lumpur with other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) leaders, who are meeting on May 27 with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and dignitaries from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Asked at a news conference whether the sultan had been hospitalised, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said: 'Well he's feeling a bit tired, so he's resting at the (National Heart Institute).' A Malaysian government source earlier told AFP the sultan 'was hospitalised in between the Asean-GCC and Asean-GCC-China summit'. 'The National Heart Institute is the designated hospital for VIPs during the course of this ASEAN summit and relevant meetings.' The hospital said it could not comment, but another Malaysian government source separately confirmed the news to AFP. Sultan Hassanal, 78, ascended the throne in 1967. He is the world's longest-reigning monarch and one of the richest people on the planet. He comes from a family that has ruled Brunei, a small Muslim nation perched on the north of the tropical island of Borneo, for more than 600 years. His decades ruling Brunei have seen the country gain full independence from Britain and living standards soar to among the highest globally. But his reign has also been marked by controversies including the introduction of tough Islamic laws legislating penalties such as severing of limbs and death by stoning. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
