China, Southeast Asian nations and six Gulf states have pledged to foster closer cooperation with a strong emphasis on economic integration and energy, marking a milestone in enhancing tripartite alignment to tackle regional and global challenges.
In a comprehensive joint statement, leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system and economic globalisation, while voicing “grave concerns” over the situation in Gaza.
Building on an Asean summit with the GCC in 2023, the gathering was widely seen as an effort to diversify trading networks and counter US President Donald Trump’s sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs.
