Participants at the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations-China-GCC economic forum in Kuala Lumpur last week recognized the importance of strengthening cooperation to promote development goals and safeguard regional peace and prosperity.

The forum was an important step forward in deepening practical cooperation. There was consensus on strengthening the partnership, advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and enhancing collaboration in areas such as connectivity, trade and economy, industrial and supply chains, agriculture, energy, and finance. The meeting also emphasized the importance of mutual learning among civilizations, closer coordination in multilateral frameworks, and joint efforts to promote integrated development.

In his speech to the forum, Chinese Premier Li Qiang noted that if we drew a line on the world map connecting China, ASEAN and the GCC, we would create a large triangle — the most stable of structures. The forum marked not only a new milestone for emerging Asian economies in advancing regional integration, but also a significant endeavor by Global South countries to inject more positive energy into world peace and development.

Geopolitical conflicts and confrontations are intensifying around the world. Protectionism and unilateralism are on the rise, decoupling practices, supply-chain disruptions and trade barriers are becoming more frequent. As a result, economic globalization is undergoing unprecedented shocks. In the face of these challenges, the three forum participants remain committed to deepening mutual trust and enhancing solidarity, expanding openness and removing barriers, sharing resources and empowering one another. By doing so, they can jointly create long-term strategic opportunities, vast market opportunities, and opportunities for transformation and upgrading.

Such cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, pragmatism and efficiency, will contribute to the international community’s common efforts to uphold multilateralism and free trade. China will work with ASEAN and GCC countries to step up communication and coordination in mechanisms including the UN, vigorously defend the common interests of developing countries, categorically oppose hegemonism and power politics, and make global governance more just and equitable.

China, ASEAN and the GCC account for roughly a quarter of the world’s population and economic output. Our markets, if fully connected, will generate even greater space for development and more substantial economies of scale. China and ASEAN are each other’s largest trading partners, while economic and trade cooperation between China and GCC countries continues to deepen, with expanding collaboration in areas such as energy, infrastructure, and high-tech industries. Looking ahead, as cooperation continues to deepen, China will actively advance the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of ASEAN and GCC countries. The resulting continuous growth in trade and investment will strongly support national development and enterprise growth across all sides. The smooth flow of production factors and enhanced industrial coordination will significantly boost the competitiveness and resilience of their economies, as well as their strength and standing in the global innovation landscape. The China–ASEAN–GCC framework is poised to become one of the most dynamic poles of global economic growth.

More than 2,000 years ago, the earliest camel caravan from China reached the Middle East, and the first Chinese fleet landed in Nanyang: from the ancient Silk Road to the Belt and Road Initiative, China, ASEAN and GCC countries have a long history of friendly interactions, and more importantly, answered the call of the times. They are home to diverse and vibrant civilizations, and share the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness. It is essential to promote deeper people-to-people exchanges to further strengthen the foundation of mutual trust, effectively manage differences through mutual understanding, and foster mutually beneficial cooperation through the exchange of ideas and wisdom.

We in China are ready to work with ASEAN and the GCC to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, promote mutual learning among civilizations, create more consensus and pool our strengths for peace and development.

Premier Li Qiang said at the summit that China would extend unilateral visa-free access to citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain for a one-year trial, which will effectively give visa-free status to all GCC countries. It reflects China’s confidence, inclusiveness, and openness, and demonstrates the country’s broad-minded commitment to promoting people-to-people connectivity and mutual learning among civilizations.

From June 9, 2025 until June 8, 2026, ordinary passport holders from Saudi Arabia will be eligible to enter China visa-free for business, tourism, family visits, cultural exchanges, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days. As the Chinese saying goes: “Is it not a joy to have friends coming from afar?” We warmly welcome more Saudi friends to seize the opportunity brought by the visa-free policy and embark on a spontaneous journey to China — to explore the vast and diverse landscapes, to savor the rich variety of regional cuisines, to make friends with the warm and hospitable Chinese people, and to experience the prosperity and dynamism of modern China.

• Chang Hua is China’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. X: @AmbChangHua