Malaysia urges ASEAN and China to uphold Asian values and strengthen cooperation amid economic fragmentation and global instability
FUZHOU: Malaysia has urged ASEAN and China to strengthen solidarity while navigating a rapidly evolving global environment.
Senate President Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah called for both sides to uphold Asian values to safeguard regional peace and stability.
Speaking at ASEAN-China Week 2025’s opening ceremony, he emphasised that economic fragmentation and technological disruption require reinforced cooperation.
“ASEAN and China must stand in solidarity,” he declared at the Monday event.
He urged championing peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness to inject greater stability into the region.
Awang Bemee stressed ASEAN centrality’s importance in maintaining balanced engagement during strategic competition.
He noted regional challenges require dialogue and consensus-building rather than unilateral actions.
Respect for international law, including the UN Charter, remains essential for addressing complex issues.
The senator highlighted the relevance of the 1955 Bandung Conference on its 70th anniversary.
“This ‘Bandung Spirit’ resonates deeply within ASEAN’s own foundational document,” he added.
He referenced the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia as continuing guidance.
Cooperation and peaceful coexistence must anchor the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Awang Bemee pointed to alignment between ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and China’s modernisation agenda.
Both frameworks aim for a peaceful, stable, and people-centred regional future.
Aligned development priorities include digital economy, green technology, and artificial intelligence.
These areas should advance shared resilience and regional confidence through cooperation.
ASEAN-China Centre Secretary-General Shi Zhongjun reported rising people-to-people exchanges.
Implementation of the “ASEAN Visa” has supported increased movement between regions.
January-August 2025 saw 25.244 million exchanges between China and ASEAN countries.
This represents an 11.2% year-on-year increase in personal movement.
Bilateral trade surged from under USD 8 billion to USD 982.3 billion in 2024.
ASEAN and China now serve as each other’s largest trading partners.
Leaders recently witnessed the China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 Upgrade Protocol signing.
This marks a new journey for enhanced economic and trade cooperation.
Major infrastructure projects demonstrate partnership strength across the region.
Examples include the China-Laos Railway and Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway.
Co-hosted by ACC and Fujian Provincial People’s Government, the event runs three days.
ASEAN-China Week 2025 commenced November 17 under the theme “Our Shared Future.”
The theme bridges ASEAN 2045 aspirations with Chinese modernisation goals.
The event showcases the thriving Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between both sides.
It serves as a platform for strengthening mutual understanding and win-win cooperation.
Enhanced people-to-people exchanges remain a central focus throughout the program. – Bernama
