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Gauri Gupta
1 June 2025 |
The following note was first published as a part of The World This Week #313 Vol 7, No 22, 01 June 2025
China-ASEAN-GCC Summit:
A Trilateral Cooperation
Gauri Gupta
What happened?
On 27 & 28 May 2025, the leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and China convened for the ASEAN-GCC-China summit, which took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
On 27 May, in the opening of the summit, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivered a keynote address titled “The Beginning of a New Chapter in ASEAN’s Journey of Outward-Looking Engagement.” China’s Premier Li Qiang emphasized that China is aiming to collaborate with “ASEAN and the GCC in forging synergies that multiply.” Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah stated they will deepen cooperation and “improve their ability to face crisis.”
On 27 May, during the summit, the leaders highlighted the importance of finalizing key trade negotiations, including the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 and the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement. They also emphasized collaboration, energy stability and sustainability, digital innovation, and cultural exchanges. They expressed serious concern over Gaza, condemning attacks on civilians and calling for a lasting ceasefire, safe humanitarian access, respect for international laws, and urging a peaceful two-state solution based on international agreements.
On 28 May, China announced visa-free travel allowances of 30 days to four Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, for non-commercial purposes, from 9 June 2025.
What is the background?
First, China’s relationship with ASEAN and GCC. In the past two decades, China has become a vital economic and strategic partner of both ASEAN and the GCC member states. Since 2009, China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner, and by 2023, bilateral trade exceeded USD 975 billion. With GCC, China's trade surpassed USD 240 billion in 2022, predominately driven by imports of energy, adding infrastructure investments, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Previously, China had signed free trade agreements and comprehensive strategic partnerships with ASEAN & GCC with an aim to further dialogue on policy coordination, digital economy, and green technology transfers.
Second, ASEAN–GCC relationship. The ASEAN–GCC relationship has historically been limited, however, it has expanded substantially since the early 2000s, particularly in areas of energy cooperation and food security. Their first ministerial meeting took place in 2009, and the first ASEAN-GCC Summit occurred in Riyadh in October 2023, where the leaders expressed commitment to promote connectivity, trade, and investments. In 2022, the trade between member states of ASEAN-GCC stood at USD 110 billion.
What does it mean?
First, the increase in economic integration between China, ASEAN, and GCC. This trilateral format brings the countries on a single platform, combining GDP of nearly USD 25 trillion and a market of more than 2 billion people. The three-way cooperation further encourages China’s ambition to establish a broader economic and strategic footprint in changing global environments, especially after tariffs imposed under the Trump administration. ASEAN and the GCC see China as an economic partner, which enables the development of balanced, multilateral cooperation for future sustainable economic growth, regional connectivity, and a lower reliance on Western markets.
Second, the emphasis on institutionalized cooperation. The summit has paved the way for greater connectivity through quality tourism, cultural, youth, and educational exchanges and STEM collaboration, arts, and support for the UN dialogue among civilizations and tourism digitalization practices.
About the author
Gauri Gupta is a postgraduate student at Stella Marris College, Chennai.
