Premier Li pledges stronger strategic alignment with ASEAN, GCC for common development

KUALA LUMPUR -- Premier Li Qiang said on Tuesday that China is ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the GCC (the Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, continuously opening up new prospects for common development.

Li made the remarks when addressing the opening ceremony of the ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum 2025.

The successful convening of the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit opened up a new chapter in trilateral cooperation, Li said, adding that the summit featured in-depth discussions on the theme of "Synergizing Economic Opportunities towards Shared Prosperity," which held great significance.

He said in today's world, joining hands to address challenges is in itself a way of creating opportunities.

In the face of escalating geopolitical conflicts and confrontations, Li said, it is believed that staying committed to deepening mutual trust and enhancing solidarity can create long-term strategic opportunities and achieve sustained and stable development.

In the face of rising protectionism and unilateralism, staying committed to greater openness and the removal of barriers can unlock vast market opportunities and allow all countries to share in more substantial benefits through the joint development of a large and integrated market, he said.

In the face of more moves toward decoupling and the erection of walls and barriers, staying committed to resource sharing and mutual empowerment can create opportunities for transformation and upgrading, as well as enhancing industrial efficiency and the momentum for sustainable development in all countries.

Li pointed out that the friendly cooperation among China, ASEAN and GCC countries has a long history and deep roots.

Standing on such a solid historical foundation, trilateral cooperation is bound to deliver new achievements and a brighter future, Li said, adding that there will be broader space for development, higher levels of economic efficiency and a more vibrant innovation ecosystem for the three sides.

China is ready to work with countries of ASEAN and GCC to strengthen the alignment of development strategies, deepen regional integration, resolutely uphold the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, maintain stable and unimpeded industrial and supply chains, and continuously open up new prospects for common development, Li said.

Li stressed that China will continue to inject new momentum into trilateral cooperation through its high-quality development.

Speaking of development trends, China's economy has shown a continued recovery and improvement since the beginning of this year, fully demonstrating its strong resilience, Li said.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out, "the Chinese economy is not a pond, but an ocean," Li noted. The ocean can withstand the test of fierce storms, emerging even more profound and substantial, more inclusive and open after the tempest subsides, he added.

Noting that China has clearly articulated a more proactive macro policy orientation, and will continue to strengthen counter-cyclical adjustments, Li said the Chinese side has the ability and confidence to keep the Chinese economy sailing steadily and far.

Strategically, China will focus more on expanding domestic demand and strengthening domestic circulation, continuously enhancing the intrinsic driving forces of the economy, the premier said.

Li noted China will firmly expand high-level opening up and promote mutual reinforcement between domestic and international circulations, sharing the opportunities of China's development with countries of ASEAN and GCC, and enterprises from around the world.

When addressing the opening ceremony of the forum, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the inaugural ASEAN-China-GCC Summit issued a joint statement, sending a strong message of trilateral solidarity and cooperation.

Anwar noted that China is an important partner for countries of ASEAN and GCC, playing an important role in promoting economic development, maintaining peace and stability, and upholding international fairness and justice.

ASEAN adheres to the principles of independence and self-reliance, and is committed to deepening its partnerships with China and the GCC, and reinforcing mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as economy, trade and investment to make greater contributions to regional and global prosperity and stability, said Anwar.