ASEAN-GCC-CHINA: A 'TRILATERAL ALLIANCE' WITH GREAT POTENTIAL - MOHAMAD

MADINAH, Dec 13 (Bernama) –- The ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit, set to take place in Malaysia in 2025 during its ASEAN chairmanship, is expected to form an influential trilateral alliance and unlock immense potential for multilateral cooperation across sectors.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that the three blocs have their unique strengths that can be leveraged through effective collaboration.

"The GCC is a bloc with significant capital, ASEAN is rich in natural resources and development potential, while China boasts a vast market," he said.

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"If this cooperation is managed well, ASEAN, the GCC, and China could form a new, substantial bloc with a significant impact on the global economy," he told Bernama after a dinner with the Malaysian community in Madinah on Thursday.

Mohamad emphasised that collaboration among the three blocs could broaden the economic markets of the participating countries while reducing reliance on a single source or market.

"We cannot depend on one source or market alone. We must diversify our resources, including investment areas and markets," he said.

On Nov 8, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair for 2025, had officially invited Chinese leaders to attend the ASEAN-GCC Summit next year.

Fahmi noted that the invitation was extended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang during his working visit to China last month.

-- BERNAMA