Malaysia seen as link in China’s ASEAN-GCC engagement push

by HIDAYATH HISHAM

CHINA has voiced strong support for the upcoming ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit, calling it a timely opportunity to strengthen ties across South-East Asia, the Gulf states and China, as reported by Bernama.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Asian Affairs Deputy DG Liang Jianjun said the summit will advance cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, food security, digital innovation, energy and supply chain resilience.

“China also reiterated its commitment to upholding a multilateral system based on equality, mutual respect and common development,” he said at a press conference on China’s neighbourhood diplomacy approach in the “new era” in Beijing.

The ASEAN-GCC-China Summit will take place in Kuala Lumpur on May 27, in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit. Malaysia will also host the second ASEAN-GCC Summit, with preparatory meetings involving senior officials and ministers at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).

Framing the summit as part of China’s broader engagement with the Global South, Liang said the event reflects efforts to promote inclusive development, fair global governance and shared prosperity.

ASEAN’s potential in agriculture and energy remains underutilised, he noted, and China is open to increasing imports of agricultural products from member countries.

Malaysia’s strategic location and infrastructure progress were cited as key advantages, positioning the country as a regional logistics and manufacturing hub.

“With construction now nearly 80% complete, the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) will create a new economic corridor connecting the East and West Coasts of Peninsular Malaysia, significantly enhancing connectivity for goods, services and people.

“After the ECRL is built, it will become a traffic network that not only strengthens energy and exports, but also streamlines logistics, including transporting fish and shrimp from the East Coast to ports via rail,” Liang said.

To further support regional connectivity, both sides have agreed to establish a railway cooperation and alliance mechanism, with discussions underway on possible routes involving neighbouring countries.

Liang also revealed plans for a new cultural dialogue mechanism between China and Malaysia, focusing on Islamic culture and shared heritage.

Reaffirming China’s development philosophy, he said no country — regardless of its size or economic strength — should be excluded from global growth.

“We have always been good friends with Malaysia. We will continue to communicate and cooperate in the future,” he added.

Both countries are currently working on advancing cooperation in the digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI), green technology and talent development.