Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stated that he is acutely aware of the weight of the responsibility as the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 that the country is to assume soon.
With the theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” Anwar envisioned an ASEAN where all member nations, irrespective of size or economic capacity, share equitably in the benefits of growth and development.
Delivering a speech at Peking University on November 7, the Malaysian PM said that ASEAN has evolved into a region of 671 million people with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of 3.8 trillion USD, making it the fifth-largest economy in the world.
The complexities of the global landscape require ASEAN to take on new roles and responsibilities, he said.
To achieve this, Anwar said Malaysia will champion the principle of ASEAN centrality.
This is a concept that places ASEAN at the heart of regional peace, security and economic cooperation, he said, adding that ASEAN centrality is the foundation that allows the region to interact constructively with global powers while maintaining its independence and promoting regional stability. Above all, he said, ASEAN centrality can only be maintained if Southeast Asia is cohesive and united.
He said China has made significant strides in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and green energy, which ASEAN views as essential areas of cooperation for addressing global challenges and promoting long-term resilience.
In 2025, Anwar said Malaysia will initiate a trilateral forum involving ASEAN, China, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. This platform, he noted, aims to expand ASEAN’s partnerships and recognise the Gulf region’s growing significance in global trade
and geopolitics.
Anwar is on a four-day working visit to China, beginning November 4 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. This marks Anwar’s third official visit to China, following his inaugural visit as Prime Minister in March 2023, and a subsequent
visit in September.
China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years since 2009. In 2023, two-way trade reached 98.80 billion USD, accounting for 17% of Malaysia's total global trade./.
VNA
