Malaysian PM Reaffirms ASEAN’s Commitment to Centrality at ASEAN-China Summit

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- ASEAN reaffirmed its central role in maintaining balanced engagement with major global powers as regional leaders gathered for the ASEAN-China Summit, held alongside the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted that the bloc’s steadfast commitment to centrality is reflected in its constructive relationships with both the United States (US) and China, while continuing to foster strong ties with a diverse range of international partners.

“The day before, we were with US President Donald Trump, and today we are back with China. That reflects ASEAN's centrality, and I commend and congratulate my colleagues, ASEAN, for the wisdom to maintain centrality and maintain friendly relations with all our countries.

“This is what we consider a steady engagement that fosters trust, that enables us to work through challenges together,” he said in his opening remarks at the ASEAN-China Summit here Tuesday.

Also co-chairing the meeting was Chinese Premier Li Qiang. 

Anwar also extended a warm welcome to Li, noting that his attendance reflects China’s firm and enduring commitment to strengthening ties with the regional bloc.

“Premier Li, you were with us earlier this year at the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit; we are honoured to have you again today. This shows China’s steadfast commitment to deepening cooperation with ASEAN,” he said.

Earlier, ASEAN and China signed an upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 (ACFTA 3.0), marking a new phase of bilateral trade between the bloc and the world’s second-largest economy. 

Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Aziz and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao signed the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Anwar and Li. 

-- BERNAMA