Kuala Lumpur: The inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur arrives at a defining moment, offering ASEAN a rare opportunity to reaffirm its global diplomatic clout and position itself as a vital bridge between the Gulf and China amid rising geopolitical tensions, analysts say.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) Chief Executive Officer Danial Rahman stated that the May 27 summit comes amid intensifying geopolitical competition and increased US engagement with GCC states. This presents ASEAN with a crucial opportunity to position itself as a neutral and inclusive convenor in a multipolar world. Rahman emphasized that it is a chance for ASEAN to reaffirm its role as a central convenor in a contested multipolar landscape, position itself as a practical bridge between the Gulf and China to promote cooperation, and push for multi-country projects that deliver real value in trade, energy, and digital cooperation.
Regional expert Dr Nadia Helmy echoed these views, highlighting the strategic and economic potential of the summit. As Gulf countries race to expand their investments in the region, Malaysia, serving as ASEAN Chair this year, is poised to steer the summit towards deeper strategic and economic partnerships. Dr. Helmy cited Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s ventures into the Southeast Asian market and Saudi Aramco’s significant investment in Malaysia as examples of the growing economic ties between the GCC and ASEAN.
Dr. Helmy, a professor of political science at Beni Suef University and an Egyptian expert in Chinese and Asian affairs, stressed the importance of cooperation between the GCC and ASEAN in maximizing development benefits across economic, commercial, and technological fields. She advocated for increased joint foreign investments and greater benefits from technology transfer and localisation to build a diversified economy not solely reliant on energy.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), established in Riyadh in 1981, comprises six member states: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst Datuk Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi suggested that the summit should explore underdeveloped areas of soft power, such as cultural diplomacy, ethical governance, and youth engagement. He pointed out the historical Islamic civilizational ties between ASEAN and the GCC, advocating for cultural festivals, Islamic arts initiatives, and shared heritage projects to strengthen people-to-people relations.
Dr. Awang Azman proposed that Malaysia’s concept of Islam MADANI could serve as a framework for promoting moderation and coexistence in the Muslim world. Despite differences in political systems, both ASEAN and GCC countries face similar pressures for reform, transparency, and good governance. He emphasized that Malaysia could help ASEAN emerge as a platform for sharing development models that balance modernity with ethical and religious values, which are crucial for countering extremism and building societal trust.