PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, convening today for the first time, as a major achievement in reshaping regional collaboration to reflect the evolving realities of a multipolar world.
Speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister, his senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah said the trilateral summit symbolises the growing strength and unity of regional blocs, and is expected to yield global benefits.
“Today will witness a primary focus on strengthening ASEAN cooperation with strategic partners through the organisation of the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the first-ever ASEAN-GCC-China trilateral summit,” he said during a briefing by the Prime Minister’s Office, broadcast on the Facebook pages of Anwar Ibrahim and PMO Malaysia.
“Both sessions will discuss concrete steps to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and sustainable development, in line with ASEAN’s aspiration to play a larger role in the Indo-Pacific geo-economic landscape,” he added.
According to official figures, the combined economic weight of ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and China now stands at nearly US$25 trillion, with a collective population exceeding two billion. ASEAN alone is the world’s fifth-largest economy with a gross domestic product of US$3.8 trillion, while China continues to be ASEAN’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade volume reaching US$696.7 billion.
In addition to the trilateral summit, two other key meetings are taking place today as part of the broader 46th ASEAN Summit agenda: the 16th Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit and the 16th Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Summit.
Tunku Nashrul noted that both summits aim to “streamline the subregional development agenda and strengthen cross-border connectivity” among the participating nations.
These forums are set to enhance economic cooperation, infrastructure integration, and people-to-people ties across Southeast Asia, reaffirming ASEAN’s role as a central platform for regional and global engagement. - May 27, 2025
