Kuala Lumpur: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and China held their inaugural trilateral summit in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Malaysia, serving as the rotating chair of the ASEAN, facilitated the summit following the regional bloc's two-day meeting in the capital.
According to Anadolu Agency, Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the president of the current session of the Supreme Council of the GCC, China's Premier Li Qiang, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, and Malaysian Premier Anwar Ibrahim were among the attendees. Premier Li emphasized China's intent to strengthen strategic alignment with ASEAN and GCC, focusing on mutual respect, equal treatment, and enhanced coordination of macroeconomic policies.
Premier Li further encouraged the trilateral parties to support each other in overcoming new development challenges, explore innovative models of international industrial and economic cooperation, and build a large shared market. He also expressed China's willingness to expedite discussions on a free trade area agreement with the GCC.
In his opening remarks, Malaysian Premier Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the summit's significance and the achievements of the three regions. Anwar noted the GCC's emergence as a hub of financial strength, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation, while also acknowledging China's impact on regional and global economic landscapes.
The summit offered a platform for leaders to exchange views on strengthening economic resilience and shared prosperity among ASEAN, GCC, and China, as well as globally. A statement from ASEAN on X confirmed the signing of the Malaysia-GCC Free Trade Agreement on Monday by the relevant parties.
Notable ASEAN leaders in attendance included Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao also participated as an observer.