China, Asean, Gulf states deliver ‘elaborate’ message on economic, energy ties

China, Southeast Asian nations and six Gulf states have pledged to foster closer cooperation with a strong emphasis on economic integration and energy collaboration, marking a milestone in enhancing tripartite alignment to tackle regional and global challenges.

In a comprehensive joint statement, leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system and economic globalisation, while voicing “grave concerns” over the situation in Gaza.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the inaugural three-way summit in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, calling it “a groundbreaking initiative” in cross-regional cooperation amid “a volatile international landscape and sluggish global growth”.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised the joint statement issued at the end of the meeting as “detailed, elaborate” and a strong message of trilateral solidarity and cooperation.

Building on an Asean summit with the GCC in 2023, the gathering was widely seen as an effort to diversify trading networks and counter US President Donald Trump’s sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs.