Asean, GCC, and China shape a connected future, says Anwar

The Star

Asean, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and China can leverage their unique strengths to build a more connected, resilient, and prosperous future, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.   Read more at https://tinyurl.com/2uszw2p3   WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

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00:00Now the ties between these three regions, GCC, ASEAN, and China, are deep and enduring.

00:14From the ancient Silk Road to the vibrant maritime networks of South Asia to modern trade corridors,

00:22our peoples have long connected through commerce, culture, and sharing of ideas.

00:30We have Mekah and Madinah, a center for millions of pilgrims.

00:35We have centers around Oman, which became the major trading route through the region,

00:42and of course, the other countries in the GCC.

00:46And historically here, centers such as Malacca exemplified this tradition,

00:54serving vital crossroads linking East and West.

01:00Today, ASEAN carries forward that legacy on a broader scale,

01:06emerging as a dynamic crossroads of global commerce innovation and opportunity.

01:14China, meanwhile, remains ASEAN's largest trading partner with $700 billion in trade and $17.3 billion in FDI.

01:27This indicates the immense existing linkages as well as substantial untapped potential.

01:38ASEAN, GCC, and China collectively represent a combined GDP of $24.87 trillion and growing exponentially,

01:52with a population of approximately $2.15 billion and growing slowly.

02:00The collective scale offers vast opportunities to synergize our markets, deepen innovation, and promote cross-regional investment.

02:13I am confident that ASEAN, GCC, and China can draw upon our unique attributes and shape a future that is more connected,

02:23more resilient, more resilient, and more prosperous for generations to come.

02:30ASEAN has long demonstrated that regionalism, anchored in consensus, respect, and openness, can succeed.

02:40We have thrived in our long-standing partnership with the GCC and China.

02:46Today, we have the opportunity to enhance these ties.

02:52With this period of optimism and shared purpose, I look forward to a constructive and fruitful discussion today.

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