Premier Li Qiang Calls for New Era of Openness with ASEAN and GCC
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called on China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to come together and create a model of openness, cooperation, and cultural integration. Speaking at the inaugural ASEAN-China-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Premier Li emphasized the potential of these regions to make a significant impact on the global stage.
Building a Shared Future
“Our combined population and economies account for nearly a quarter of the world’s total,” Premier Li said. “Connecting our markets fully will unlock vast opportunities for development and create a significant scale effect.”
He highlighted the completion of negotiations on the upgraded Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and expressed hope for the early completion of free trade agreements involving the GCC. “We should expand regional opening-up and build a large shared market where resources, technologies, and talents flow efficiently,” he added.
Cooperation Across Different Stages
Premier Li stressed that differences in development stages among China, ASEAN, and GCC countries should not be barriers but opportunities to complement each other’s strengths. “We are ready to deepen strategic alignment based on mutual respect and equality, enhance macroeconomic policy coordination, and strengthen industrial collaboration,” he said.
Cross-Civilization Integration
Emphasizing the rich cultural heritage of the regions, Premier Li called for deeper people-to-people exchanges to foster mutual understanding. He expressed China’s support for the Confucian-Islamic civilizational dialogue initiative proposed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“We are willing to work together to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, promote mutual learning among civilizations, and build greater consensus and momentum towards peace and development,” Premier Li concluded.
