Oman Participates in ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, The Gulf Observer: On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, His Highness Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and Personal Representative of His Majesty the Sultan, led the Sultanate of Oman’s delegation at the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, which commenced on Tuesday in the Malaysian capital.
The summit opened with keynote addresses by heads of delegations. In his speech, HH Sayyid Asa’ad highlighted the deep-rooted historical ties between the participating nations, grounded in shared values, mutual interests, and a legacy of cooperation dating back to the ancient Silk Road, now revitalized through the Belt and Road Initiative.
“Our relations are historical, built on shared values and mutual interests, as well as cooperation and mutual respect—a legacy reflected in the ancient Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative,” he stated. “Today, we are writing a new chapter in the friendship between our nations.”
He emphasized the vast economic potential of ASEAN, GCC, and China—together home to over 2 billion people with a combined GDP of $24 trillion—making them among the world’s fastest-growing markets. HH Sayyid Asa’ad underscored the importance of joint efforts in clean energy sectors, including solar, wind, and green hydrogen, as critical pillars for future sustainable development.
He further called for enhancing cooperation in transportation, logistics, financial technology, and private-sector engagement to foster trade, innovation, and job creation, stressing the importance of inclusive economic growth and knowledge exchange.
Reaffirming Oman’s support for liberalized trade among the GCC, ASEAN, and China, HH Sayyid Asa’ad expressed optimism about the region’s future and thanked ASEAN and Chinese partners for their constructive roles.
Turning to regional issues, he urged collective international action to end Israeli aggression in Gaza, emphasizing that peace can only be achieved through a just and lasting two-state solution. He reiterated Oman’s unwavering support for Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations and called on the international community to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“Oman remains open to all initiatives aimed at strengthening partnerships between the Gulf region, ASEAN, and China,” he affirmed, underlining the Sultanate’s commitment to progress, dialogue, and constructive global engagement.
The summit also featured remarks from Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait, who underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation and strategic integration in the face of global challenges. He praised the progress in GCC-ASEAN-China ties and highlighted the landmark 2022 GCC-China Summit in Riyadh as a turning point.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for the creation of a unified trilateral market among the GCC, ASEAN, and China, representing a quarter of the global population and GDP. He urged accelerating FTA negotiations, enhancing regional openness, and promoting shared development through mutual respect and economic alignment.
Premier Li also endorsed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s “Dialogue of Civilizations” initiative as a vehicle for fostering cultural understanding and global peace.
The summit concluded with discussions on joint action plans and future cooperation across sectors including renewable energy, artificial intelligence, education, scientific innovation, and public health.
