Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a visionary speech at the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of enhanced connectivity and cooperation among China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Premier Li highlighted the historic ties that bind the regions, tracing back to the ancient Silk Road and continuing with the Belt and Road Initiative. He proposed that by pooling resources, production capacities, and markets, the three regions can create a vibrant economic circle and a new growth pole in the global economy.
Opening Up Across Regions
Li emphasized the significance of connecting the vast markets of China, ASEAN, and the GCC, which together account for roughly a quarter of the world’s population and economic output. He announced that China and ASEAN have fully concluded the negotiations for the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 upgrade, and expressed hope for an early conclusion of the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
"By enhancing regional openness, we can develop a large market with efficient mobility of resources, technologies, and talents," he said, aiming to unlock the huge potential of open development.
Cooperation Across Development Stages
Addressing the different stages of development among the regions, Premier Li called for transforming these differences into complementary strengths. He urged for strengthened alignment of development strategies, increased macroeconomic policy coordination, and deeper collaboration in industrial specialization.
"We should create a new model of international industrial and economic cooperation and strive for coordinated development where everyone does their level best, efficiency is multiplied, and benefits are shared," Li stated.
Inter-Civilization Integration
Premier Li underscored the rich diversity of civilizations across the regions, advocating for deeper people-to-people exchanges to consolidate mutual trust. He expressed China’s readiness to work with ASEAN and the GCC to implement the Global Civilization Initiative and promote mutual learning among civilizations.
He also extended support for Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s initiative on Islam-Confucianism dialogue, highlighting the shared Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness.
Concrete Actions and Future Cooperation
Looking ahead, Premier Li proposed discussing a trilateral action plan on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. He called for enhancing synergy in infrastructure, market rules, and payment systems, and actively considering the establishment of a regional business council.
He announced that China would roll out an "ASEAN visa" for Southeast Asian countries, offering five-year multiple-entry visas to eligible applicants for business and other purposes. Additionally, China will extend unilateral visa-free policies to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, effectively granting visa-free status to all GCC countries.
Global Impact
On a global scale, Premier Li emphasized the importance of standing on the right side of history and adding positive energy to world peace and development. He encouraged upholding multilateralism and free trade while rejecting unilateralism and protectionism.
"China will work with ASEAN and GCC countries to step up communication and coordination in multilateral mechanisms, vigorously defend the common interests of developing countries, and make global governance more just and equitable," he asserted.
Conclusion
Premier Li concluded by expressing confidence that, through concerted efforts, trilateral cooperation will continue to produce positive results and deliver more benefits to the people, contributing to peace and development in Asia and the world.
