Kuala Labor, Malaysia – A regional association of Southeast Asian countries is scheduled to hold a tripartite summit with China and six countries in the Gulf, in what officials described as efforts to support economic flexibility while struggling with global fluctuations and American definitions.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who opened a summit in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Labor, between the 10 -member association in Southeast Asian countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council, said that the strong relationship in Asia and GCC will be a key to enhancing overlapping cooperation, building construction and securing sustainable prosperity.
Chinese Prime Minister Lee Qiang will join the two blocs at their first meeting later on Tuesday, as Beijing seeks to present itself as a reliable ally of the region.
Anwar said: “I think the Asean-GCC partnership was never more important than it is today, because we are moving in an increasingly complex global scene characterized by economic certainty and geopolitical challenges,” Anwar said.
Malaysia is the current president of ASEAN, who also includes Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Crown Prince Kuwait, Sheikh Sheikh Saba Khaled Sabah, said that the two blocs, which occupied the first of them in Riyadh in 2023, will build on their momentum to deepen cooperation and “improve our ability to face the crisis.” He said that the Gulf Cooperation Council is the seventh largest commercial partner in the Southeast Asian Nations Association, with a total trade of $ 130.7 billion in 2023.
The Gulf Cooperation Council includes the oil producing countries, Kuwait, Amman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Anwar said last week that the Gulf Cooperation Council has already has strong ties with the United States and “wants to be close to China as well.”
Aseyan maintained the policy of neutrality, as it was involved in both Beijing and the United States, but the threats of US President Donald Trump was a blow. Six of the bloc members were among the worst successes, with a customs tariff between 32 % and 49 %.
Trump announced a temporary stop for a 90 -day customs duties in April for most of the world, and this month hit a A similar deal with the main competing ChinaReducing tensions in the trade war. Anwar is Search for ASEAN Summit with Trump On definitions.
ASEAN is seen as tending to China and failed to take strong action against Beijing’s aggression in the disputed China Sea. ASEANEANAM, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei have overlapping claims with China, which emphasizes sovereignty over the South China Sea.
Chung said that while relying on US defense support, ASEAN increases dependence and partnership with China and other competitors of the United States.
He said: “If this continues within the current Trump administration, it will create an additional space for Washington to send itself from the region, which will clarify the disasters and create a deeper Chinese presence.”
