Authors: Dr. Rizwan Naseer, Dr. Musarat Amin, Nauman Gull*
Malaysia, as the current chair of the Association of South Asian Nations (ASEAN), hosted the 46th ASEAN Summit, 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit, and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, which were scheduled from 26 to 27 May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. According to the Malaysia 2025 website, ASEAN began its Community Vision 2025 in 2015, and this year marked the 10th anniversary of the formal establishment of the ASEAN community. Furthermore, on 27 May 2025, a trilateral ASEAN summit involving China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries was also held, marking a significant moment. This historic three-way summit was the first to bring together China and the six GCC countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aiming to strengthen economic ties and reduce dependence on the United States (US) amidst global tariff pressures. The GCC representative included Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani, the crown princes of Bahrain and Kuwait, and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Damodaran & Laskowska, 2025). The theme of this year’s ASEAN summit under the Malaysia Chairmanship 2025 was ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability,’ which reflected upon the ASEAN nations’ collective efforts focusing on sustainable progress, peace, stability, and prosperity and a framework that ensures that ‘no one is left behind’ (Malaysia, 2025). Furthermore, Malaysia, being the chair for ASEAN 2025, emphasized its priorities to strengthen ASEAN partnerships beyond its borders through dialogue, diplomacy, and economic partnerships. Moreover, Malaysia pushes for commitment to greater investment opportunities, technological advancement, and research and development to cater for the need for digital transformation. Lastly, it also brought the theme of the summit to take center stage for the regional community-building mechanism to decrease the development gap, improve the standard of living, and tackle the climate change threat posed by the ASEAN nations. The Al Jazeera report on the ASEAN summit emphasizes the urgency for cross-sector collaboration, China’s pursuit of an alternative trade network, economic diversification opportunities, regional stability, and diplomatic efforts for global peace (Jazeera, 2025). The report further underscored the summit’s importance of economic resilience within ASEAN while diversifying its trade partnerships with the GCC and China. It also maintained a strategic diplomatic opportunity to foster collaboration through ‘strategic diplomacy,’ a maneuver to counterbalance threats from US tariffs without abandoning US partnerships. Additionally, the 46th Summit and trilateral engagement indicated space for global economic realignment, signaling a broader shift in alliances amid rising protectionism threats in the global supply chain. Moreover, during the opening session of the 46th Summit, the Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar informed the delegates that he had written to US President Donald Trump to organize an ASEAN-US Summit in 2025 to resolve the issues on tariffs (Latif, 2025; Staff, 2025). According to a report by Bernama, a news agency, during the preparatory phase leading to the summit, ASEAN senior economic officials had discussed various agendas for the next 5-year plan. The report further shared that the discussion also focused on Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN as the eleventh member, which was very welcoming. Apart from this, senior economic officials also deliberated on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026-2030 under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which was launched and adopted during the Summit (Bernama, 2025).
This new development signifies a major shift in global economic politics and connectivity and presents an opportunity for GCC countries to look eastward for enhanced cooperation with the ASEAN bloc and China. Over time, it remains to be seen whether this new collaboration will yield productive results for the ASEAN-China-GCC trilateral partnership. Drawing on various news reports, insights, and open-source analyses on this emerging partnership, this article examines the prospects for the ASEAN-China-GCC convergence. Furthermore, it highlights some key themes discussed at the summit and emphasizes the benefits it offers to ASEAN nations, GCC countries, and China. The nine themes analyzed here are 1) tariff threats to ASEAN, 2) strengthening economic resilience, 3) connectivity through shared interests, 4) eco-friendly sustainable goals for the GCC and their green initiatives, 5) technological advancements and AI opportunities, 6) connectivity prospects across various sectors, 7) neutrality policies, 8) Gulf-China convergence, and 9) expanding economic partnerships. According to the key highlights of MITKAT Advisory, some milestones have been achieved, and some future visionary plans have been adopted at the summit. The advisory notes that ASEAN celebrated its 10th ASEAN Community anniversary, highlighting integration in political security, economic, and socio-cultural areas. Regarding the economic outlook, the analysis indicates that ASEAN’s economy is projected to grow by 4.7 per cent this year, whereas in 2024 it was 4.2 per cent. Furthermore, it states that inflation is expected to be around 3 per cent, with growth driven by exports and public capital spending, although global uncertainties pose risks (MITKAT, 2025).
During the opening remarks on the 46th ASEAN Summit (Plenary), the Prime Minister YAB Dato Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim reflected on the achievement of the ASEAN community, underscoring the significance of its establishment a decade ago in 2015, which marked the 10th anniversary this year with recollection and renewed efforts to the cause (Secretariat, YAB Opening Remarks 46th ASEAN Summit Plenary, 2025). He furthermore elaborated during his opening remarks on the future course of action and said, “We will adopt a forward-looking 20-year vision that necessitates our unwavering commitment and collective resolve.” The global changing dynamics and threats from the unilateral tariffs imposed by the US have brought the ASEAN nations to recalibrate and rethink how to deal with the challenges collectively, as he further mentioned that, “Indeed, a transition in the geopolitical order is underway, and the global trading system is under further strain with the recent imposition of U.S. unilateral tariffs. Protectionism is resurging as we bear witness to multilateralism breaking apart at the seams.” Against this backdrop of economic challenges, he specifically mentioned the establishment of the ASEAN Geo-economic Task Force to work in coordination but, most importantly, to demonstrate resolution and confidence among ASEAN nations (Secretariat, YAB Opening Remarks 46th ASEAN Summit Plenary, 2025). As reported by an international news agency (Xinhua, 2025), the 46th ASEAN Summit (Plenary) was attended by the following dignitaries: “the Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar Aung Kyaw Moe, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao.” According to the Al Jazeera report, the US tariffs on ASEAN exports reached 32 percent to 49 percent, compelling the ASEAN leaders to jointly coordinate through this threat by exercising a joint response (Jazeera, 2025). Furthermore, staff from Anadolu Agency (Latif, 2025), in his analysis of the summit, share that the ASEAN member states are being hit by US tariffs, which ranged from 10 percent to 49 percent, but with time, the 90-day pause on the tariffs in April enabled the talks and negotiation between ASEAN and the US. At the trilateral summit, which marks the first-ever ASEAN-GCC-China Summit (MITKAT, 2025; Yeoh, 2025), Prime Minister YAB Dato Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim said, “We are able to convene the first-ever ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, which demonstrates our reservoir of goodwill empowering us to deepen and expand our partnerships and to act with strategic clarity.” (Secretariat, 2025). This specifies the symbolic partnership in a more cohesive approach to bring in regional blocs to focus on shared interests and deal with the economic challenges. The tariff threats to ASEANare an existential one; the trilateral approach helps ASEAN to diversify its export markets against the protectionist and unilateral policies of the US. Benefiting from this, the ASEAN countries would develop new trade links, which would eventually reduce the dependency on US markets, and the geoeconomics model between ASEAN-GCC-China would play a greater and more meaningful role in sustainable growth.From the 46th ASEAN Summit, a message was delivered onenhancing economic resilience. The ASEAN bloc in the 46th summit jointly emphasized economic resilience by developing robust plans and across-the-board measures through trade routes and supply chains. This benefits cooperation, connectivity, and economic resilience through various economic buffers against global trade disruptions. The joint statement of the Summit of the ASEAN, the GCC, and the People’s Republic of China (ASEAN-GCC-China) acknowledged the historical ties and linkages through recognizing the economic collaboration among all nations and underscored the importance of regionalism and regional unity and emphasizedinternational law to address the challenges jointly faced by the nations. The joint statement also sheds light on the GCC and China and its importance as a partner by saying that it underscores “the importance of the GCC’s critical role to foster peace, security, stability, development, prosperity, and dialogue.” The statement continues by appreciating “China’s crucial role in promoting peace, stability, prosperity, and sustainable development in regional and international affairs.” The statement also mentions that nations with their firm resolve “pledged to advance the spirit of inclusivity, sustainability, resilience, and equal partnership, charting a united and collective path toward a peaceful, prosperous, and equitable future.” The joint statement makes it clear how the ASEAN-GCC-China would foster growth and sustainability through economic integration, connectivity, energy security and sustainability, digital transformation and innovation, food and agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges. This commitment fosters connectivity through shared interest. The Chinese partnership with the ASEAN and GCC opens the possibility of the expansion of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), trade corridors, energy infrastructure, logistical supply chain corridors, and people-to-people exchanges, which eventually enables interregional cooperation and connectivity, making a deeper connectivity through shared interest. This enhances trade and the flow of investment in various sectors, making the partnerships more streamlined. Eco-friendly, sustainable goals for the GCC and the GCC’s green initiatives highlight the transition into sustainable energy, renewable power, green fuels, and environmental technological advancement opportunities. The diversification approach of the GCC countries, moving away from fossil fuel dependency, is an indication that endorses sustainable goals for the future in clean energy investment. It enables the GCC countries to get the technical guidance and know-how in the area of green projects, which the ASEAN platform provides for eco-friendly investment. Keeping in view the neutrality policies, the Chairman’s Statement of the 46th ASEAN Summit says that it expresses deep concern over the global trade tensions due to the unilateral tariffs being imposed worldwide, which disrupt the capital flows and exchange rates. While criticizing the US approach, the statement also made it clear that ASEAN would engage with the US in a positive, constructive manner through dialogue, and the ASEAN nations would abstain from imposing any retaliatory measures in response to US tariffs. This is a clear sign that ASEAN, to forge regional connectivity, is making room to engage with the US constructively, keeping in view the principles of impartiality and neutrality. The chairman’s statement in its conclusion remained neutral by saying, “We remained committed to ASEAN as a reliable economic partner and will work to foster a strengthened economic cooperation framework with the US, particularly in high-value and future-oriented sectors. We will also strengthen and expand our economic links with ASEAN’s external partners, including our Dialogue Partners, and seek out opportunities for cooperation with new partners.” (Secretariat, 2025). This statement emphasizes collaboration not only with the US but also with other GCC countries and, in particular, China via technological advancements and AI opportunities, connectivity prospects in various sectors, Gulf-China convergence, and expanding economic partnerships by giving a clear indication from the platform of the 46th ASEAN Summit that the bloc wants neutral collaboration with all regions. In his opening remarks during the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, said that “the ties between us are deep and enduring.” From the ancient Silk Road to the vibrant maritime networks of Southeast Asia to modern trade corridors, our peoples have long connected through commerce, culture, and the sharing of ideas.” (Secretariat, YAB PM Opening Remarks on the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, 2025). Furthermore, he also shared that in 2023, ASEAN GDP reached USD 3.8 trillion, which was at that time the world’s 5th largest economy. Pointing out that the ASEAN, GCC, and China combined GDP of USD 24.87 trillion and a population of 2.15 billion offer vast opportunities to “synergize our markets, deepen innovation, and promote cross-regional investment.” During the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit, the Prime Minister mentioned the initial framework of the 1st ASEAN-GCC Summit, which adopted the framework of Cooperation 2024-2028. The Prime Minister also said that, “In 2023, the GCC was ASEAN’s 7th largest trading partner, with total trade reaching USD 130.7 billion. This gives rise to further collaboration and a huge amount of potential in economic benefits to both regional blocs in future partnerships. (Secretariat, 2025) The 46th Summit also saw a defining moment when the ASEAN 20245: Our Shared Future was integrated and adopted at the signing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration. The Prime Minister, during the signing ceremony, said that, “It is often said that the best way to predict the future is to create it. That is what ASEAN has sought to do.” (Secretariat, 2025). The efforts of ASEAN in bringing this shared vision to life are unmatchable, and it shows the vision, effort, and dedication to shared growth and investment in all sectors.
In their analysis, Alhasan & Wajid (2025) opine that the 46th Summit does not doubt that it delivered a symbolic statement, but the pledges and economic shifts that it aims for in the long run will follow as time passes by. The authors shared that due to the unilateral tariffs and global economic shifts, the summit’s dignitaries have promised a positive outcome, but the challenges associated with it will remain as long as the ASEAN-GCC-China show concrete progress in their partners of shared interest in the region and beyond. Acknowledging the symbolic significance it had for the region, the clear message that came out from it was that of unity between ASEAN, GCC, and China on Palestine self-determination and the ongoing war in Gaza. Furthermore, the summit enables China to dream big for its market dream of more export avenues through trade with multiple blocs. The summit also reflected on a new kind of approach, i.e., GCC bloc diplomacy, which the ASEAN-GCC-China summit reflects. Senior Fellow Tricia Yeoh, in her article, says that the ASEAN nations’ meetings have historically been criticized because they failed to deliver on the progress. Moreover, she says regarding the current summit that, “Nevertheless, the recent summit stood out in a number of ways.” (Yeoh, 2025). She further says that the developments from the 46th Summit are significant to carrying forward the ASEAN dialogue with partners, which include Canada, the European Union, and other Western countries. Due to the global trade and economic uncertainty, ASEAN provides a unique space for Canada and its allies to look beyond towards the East and forge partnerships. Particularly for Canada, this is an opportunity to develop a close connection with ASEAN and the region (Yeoh, 2025). Hence, there are glimpses of promise for everyone, which promises to create the world’s largest free trade area incorporating ASEAN-GCC-China (Mantong, 2025). In another analysis, the 46th Summit made it clear that GCC countries have their own interest in partnering with the ASEAN nations and China, and the policy of looking towards the east would eventually be fruitful; hence, the GCC countries are keen to boost their investment in ASEAN (Tribune, 2025). Hopes for enhanced strategic cooperation and partnership are the drivers that are creating a synergized approach in light of the economic challenges in ASEAN-GCC-China. The relations between the GCC and ASEAN have great potential and more room to grow. The GCC is ASEAN’s 7th-largest trading partner, with its trade reaching USD 130.7 billion in the year 2023 (Damodaran & Laskowska, 2025; Strangio, 2025). The Summit member for the economic benefit added that they looked forward to the agreement negotiations of the GCC-China free trade and the ASEAN-China free trade (Chew, 2025), which are game changers for the region and beyond if these agreements and initiatives properly materialize.
* Dr. Musarat Amin is an Associate Professor at the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, National University of Sciences and Technology Islamabad.
*Nauman Gull is a graduate of Center for International Peace and Stability at NUST and also an intern at the Institute of Regional Studies Islamabad.
