Asean rises stronger together

Ties that bind: Volunteers taking pictures on the last day of the 46th Asean Summit, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

PETALING JAYA: The Asean Summit saw diplomatic and economic breakthroughs, besides stronger ties with China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), underscoring the region’s growing ability to navigate complex global challenges under Malaysia’s leadership, say analysts.

Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute chief executive officer Danial Rahman said the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, which ran concurrently with the 46th Asean Summit, was significant in light of the Middle East trip by US President Donald Trump earlier this month.