Implications of Asean-GCC-China cooperation

AMID growing trade tensions and the rise in protectionist policies on the global landscape, the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, hosted by Malaysia as Asean Chairman for 2025, has drawn significant international attention.

This gathering marks yet another step forward in Global South cooperation with implications for both regional development and global growth.

The three parties share deep historical and economic ties. Centuries ago, the Silk Road facilitated cultural and commercial exchanges among their peoples. Today, China remains a significant trade partner for both Asean and the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council).

Recent advancements, such as the full conclusion of the China-Asean Free Trade Area 3.0 negotiations, underscore ongoing efforts to deepen economic integration.

These long-standing relationships, nurtured through bilateral and multilateral frameworks, provide a robust foundation for expanded cooperation.

As advocates for open markets, the three parties reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism during the summit. The event highlighted a shift in Global South nations from passive participants to proactive contributors in shaping international economic frameworks.

Discussions underscored the importance of a rules-based global trading system, one that prioritises equitable development over zero-sum competition. This vision aligns with broader calls for inclusive globalisation that benefits all.

Each region brings unique advantages to the table: Asean’s youthful demographics and natural resources, the GCC’s energy resources and financial capital, and China’s vast consumer market and manufacturing prowess.

By leveraging these complementary strengths, the partners will benefit from reduced energy and resource costs, accelerated logistics, and more efficient financial services.

These synergies will enhance all three parties’ competitiveness and resilience while enabling more secure and sustainable development, which are indispensable for navigating challenges in today’s volatile global markets and maintaining growth amid trade uncertainties.

The trilateral cooperation has already registered positive prog­ress. Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced at the Summit that China has decided to offer five-year multiple-entry visas to eligible applicants from South-East Asian countries for business and other purposes, and to effectively give all GCC countries visa-free status.

And with a regional business council in conception, the three parties have charted a united course for cooperation in areas such as economic integration, connectivity, energy security and sustainability, digital transformation and innovation, food and agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges.

Collectively, Asean, China and the GCC account for nearly a quarter of the world’s population and global GDP. Their collaboration signals a growing preference for cooperative and open regionalism in addressing shared challenges, such as trade disputes and supply chain disruptions.

By improving infrastructure connectivity and streamlining trade, this partnership could foster synergies that multiply rather than simply add their individual strengths.

Through cross-regional cooperation, the three parties have demonstrated that the Global South can collectively counteract the adverse impact of unilateral tariffs by exploring new trade and investment opportunities, diversifying trade partners, and reducing reliance on traditional markets.

The three parties’ connected market, one of the world’s largest intra-regional markets, will also allow other countries to share more benefits, and inject much-needed certainty into the global economy.

By pooling together the three important forces in the world, this innovative, inclusive and pragmatic model represents a shared commitment to the rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organiza­tion at its core, and marks a concrete step toward a peaceful, prosperous and equitable future.

HUI FAN

Beijing

(The writer is an observer of international affairs.)