KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a four-eye meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to strengthen strategic cooperation through the Asean-GCC-China Summit for mutual interest.
Anwar said Malaysia, as the Asean Chair in 2025, appreciates China’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and bilateral relations, especially in facing current global challenges and geopolitical changes.
"The synergy between the two countries is important to be enhanced, particularly in the fields of economy, technology, infrastructure and transportation projects such as the East Coast Rail Link, addressing disputes in the South China Sea, updating developments on the Asean-China Free Trade Area Protocol upgrade, the halal industry and trade," he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (May 27).
Anwar added that the Asean Summit 2025 reflects Malaysia’s efforts in leading the grouping with the aim of strengthening integration, driving economic cooperation and addressing regional issues diplomatically and pragmatically.
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The 46th Asean Summit began at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Monday (May 26).
Today’s (May 27) highlights include two high-level meetings, namely the second Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, which aim to strengthen regional and inter-regional cooperation.
The Asean Summit brings together leaders from member states to deliberate on regional developments and chart the future direction of the regional grouping.
This marks Malaysia’s fifth time chairing Asean, following its previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
