Chinese Premier Li Qiang outlined a bold vision for trilateral cooperation between China, ASEAN, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries during his keynote address at the inaugural ASEAN-China-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The summit, hailed as a "groundbreaking initiative in regional economic cooperation," aims to create a stable triangular partnership spanning energy, technology, and cultural exchange.
Three Pillars of Cooperation
Premier Li proposed three key areas for collaboration:
Open Regional Integration: Accelerating free trade agreements and creating a unified market of 2 billion people, leveraging China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 and upcoming China-GCC FTA negotiations.
Complementary Development: Bridging industrial capabilities across nations at different economic stages through AI, green tech, and digital economy partnerships.
Cultural Synergy: Launching new visa programs and interfaith dialogues, including an "ASEAN visa" for five-year multiple entries and expanded GCC visa waivers.
Global Implications
The Premier emphasized multilateralism, stating: "Our triangle of cooperation can become the world's most stable economic structure." The partnership aims to counter protectionism while addressing 25% of global GDP and population. Concrete measures include establishing a regional business council and aligning payment systems across the Belt and Road network.
Analysts note the summit's timing coincides with shifting global supply chains, positioning ASEAN as a bridge between Chinese innovation and Gulf capital. With new visa policies taking effect in 2025, the initiatives could reshape business travel and cultural exchange patterns across Asia.
