摘要：In the face of an increasingly uncertain and unstable regional and global economic environment, it has become a shared consensus a
ASEAN-GCC-China Summit reflects aspirations of the Global South
By Global TimesPublished: May 26, 2025
In the face of an increasingly uncertain and unstable regional and global economic environment, it has become a shared consensus among many developing countries to seek certainty and enhance resilience by fostering new "growth poles" - emerging partners or areas of cooperation. Against this backdrop, the convening of the first ASEAN-GCC-China Summit is far from coincidental.First, this mechanism is a natural outcome of the deepening bilateral dialogues and cooperation among the three parties: China and ASEAN, China and GCC, and ASEAN and GCC. Since 1991, China and ASEAN have maintained 34 years of dialogue and cooperative relations, culminating in the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021. The first China-GCC Summit was held in December 2022, where both sides adopted a 2023-27 action plan for strategic dialogue, laying out an institutional framework for bilateral dialogue and cooperation. The inaugural ASEAN-GCC Summit was held in October 2023, and the ASEAN-GCC Framework of Cooperation 2024-28 outlined the agenda for ASEAN-GCC dialogue and cooperation. These mechanisms - three sets of bilateral summits and steadily expanding ties - form the very foundation for the holding of the first ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.Second, against the backdrop of the collective rise of the Global South, this summit reflects the outcome of increasingly intersecting and integrated partnership networks among the three sides. Today, dialogue and cooperation among Global South countries are deepening through an expanding web of overlapping and converging partnerships. The goals pursued through trilateral cross-regional cooperation among China, ASEAN and the GCC are also clear. Since the new Trump administration took office, it has implemented a "law of the jungle" approach in global politics and the international economy. As a result, China and Southeast Asia have become major targets of "reciprocal tariffs," while Gulf countries have also come under heavy pressure in terms of energy pricing and financial security. Ensuring supply chain security and fostering resilience and synergy in regional economic development have thus become shared concerns among China, ASEAN and GCC countries.In this regard, the three parties not only share a broad consensus but also possess a great potential for cross-regional cooperation. Together, their cooperation can give rise to a new and highly influential bloc with a significant impact on the global economy.Peter TC Chang, former deputy director of the Institute of China Studies, University Malaya and a research associate at the China-Malaysia Friendship AssociationAlongside the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is inaugurating the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. ASEAN already enjoys strong bilateral relationships with both the GCC and China. This trilateral summit aims to consolidate those ties within a broader, more strategic framework.The summit is expected to promote sustainable development. Leaders will also explore the growth of digital economies through initiatives in 5G connectivity and smart city development - key drivers of innovation and inclusivity. At a time when unilateralism and narrow nationalism are undermining global economic stability, the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit highlights ASEAN's strategic role in global governance - particularly its steadfast advocacy for multilateralism. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed ASEAN's commitment to open trade with all partners and to multilateral cooperation as a means to address economic challenges and foster collective growth. Through platforms such as the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, ASEAN seeks to strengthen economic resilience and mitigate vulnerabilities amid ongoing global trade tensions.ASEAN's commitment to multilateralism offers valuable lessons for the global community. It reflects the Global South's advocacy for a rules-based international order - one that upholds national sovereignty and fosters equitable development. Developing nations consistently emphasize the importance of inclusive platforms such as the United Nations and the Group of 77, through which they pursue collective solutions to global challenges. Indeed, ASEAN, along with the broader Global South, continues to call for reforms in international institutions to ensure they better reflect current geopolitical realities and address the evolving needs of developing countries.The inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit holds great significance. Beyond strengthening economic ties, it advances a cooperative framework aimed at stabilizing a fragmented global economic order. It also provides momentum for the ongoing transformation of international institutions to more accurately reflect the interests and aspirations of the Global South.Ebrahim Hashem, former adviser to the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, an authority responsible for Abu Dhabi's long-term strategiesThe ongoing inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit holds a lot of promise for more high-level cooperation and deeper economic integration among the three players. They are all geographically located in Asia and considered key developing economies in the Global South. Moreover, their development and governance models are similar, whereby the state plays an important enabling role and facilitates growth. The three are strengthening South-South economic and trade integration. According to the latest WTO data, South-South trade now accounts for 28 percent of total global trade, an increase from 17 percent in 2005, and the developing economies contribute around 60 percent to the global economic growth.The combined share of ASEAN, GCC and China in the world economy is more than 25 percent. Their population is more than 2 billion people - more than 25 percent of the world, boasting huge untapped markets and growth potential.As the investment environment in mature markets becomes less attractive, the three parties are seriously exploring investment opportunities in each other's markets. This is illustrated by the rising number of visits and delegations to their respective nations. As part of their national long-term strategies, the GCC countries are earnestly trying to diversify their economic structure away from oil and gas, embracing free trade and further opening their economies, while simultaneously diversifying their trade and investment relations.In light of global system dysfunction, economic fragmentation, supply chain disruptions, rising protectionism and trade politicization, closer coordination of strategic policies - especially in relation to trade, economics, investment and technology - will help strengthen the position of the three players. This is not only positive for them but also for the wider Global South and the rest of the world.For the GCC, deepening economic and trade ties with ASEAN and China is happening organically, driven primarily by commercial and business interests. It is only natural that the GCC countries feel enthusiastic about accelerating the process of economic and trade reintegration with their Asian partners, where most of future economic growth is expected to come from.
The world is gradually becoming multipolar, not only politically but also, and more importantly, economically. As the economic center of gravity shifts to the East and South, the next wave of globalization is expected to be led by trading blocs, such as GCC and ASEAN, and giant trading nations such as China, whose multilateral policy coordination is intensifying.
来源：东南亚问题研究
