Written by Ladislav Zemánek, non-resident academic at the China-CEE Institute and Valdai Discuss Club expert
The summit in Kuala Lumpur brought together the world's second and 5th largest economy – China and ASEAN – with key energy and natural materials suppliers.
The leaders did not hide their optimism.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim presented a imagination of intercultural dialog between Confucian and muslim civilizations, in line with the Chinese Global Civilization Initiative.
Prime Minister Chin Li Qiang imagined ‘large triangle’ as a pillar of global safety and prosperity, referring to "common Asian values“ openness, cooperation and integration in contrast to perceived Western norms.What is notable, the authoritative discourse of Beijing is increasingly highlighting these ‘Asian valuesIt’s okay. ”
This communicative is the basis for renewed focus on neighbouring countries.
In April Xi convened a uncommon high-level conference on relations with ‘near abroad’, characterise it as essential for the improvement of China, safety and diplomatic priorities.
Among another regional actors, this recalibration may rise concerns about the revival of the modern "Pax Sinica".
However, Beijing rejects these interpretations, citing alternatively alternate historical models specified as the Silk Road, which put emphasis on connectivity, integration and equality.China-ASEAN-GCC summit was not an exception:
Beijing proposed to extend the existing China-ASEAN Free Trade region to the GCC, which was welcomed by South-East Asian leaders.
This could accelerate China's efforts to liberalise trade and increase the benefits of the Regional Comprehensive economical Partnership – the world's largest free trade area, which includes all ASEAN countries.The agenda focused mainly on economical issues, reflecting ASEAN's strategical orientation and the interests of the Gulf States.
Over the last decade, China has launched many projects with ASEAN members as part of the Belt and way Initiative.
Cooperation with GCC is besides expanding beyond conventional sectors, specified as natural materials, to state-of-the-art areas, including artificial intelligence, digital economy and 5G technology.
This emphasis on the economy is strategic, allowing stakeholders to circumvent the political and safety issues at issue.And there's quite a few issues.While China maintains strong ties with both ASEAN and GCC members, bilateral friction continues.
Within ASEAN, territorial disputes and concerns about sovereignty – especially in the South China Sea – complicate assurance building.
China's disputes with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have been going on for a long time and burden regional relations.
The perceptions of Chinese assertiveness besides fuel concerns about excessive economical dependence, possible ‘debt trap’ and Beijing's political influence.
These factors have led leaders, specified as the president of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to get closer to the US in fresh years.The broader rivalry between China and the US remains defining dynamics.
Both ASEAN and GCC countries have historically strong ties with the US.
The USA remains the largest ASEAN export marketplace and the main abroad investor.
The GCC countries, long allied with Washington, are now facing the challenge of uncovering a cautious balance between American and Chinese interests, especially in delicate technologies and safety cooperation.
Washington opposes the adoption of Chinese 5G and AI technologies by Saudi Arabia, and akin concerns have led to the suspension of military agreements between the US and the United arabian Emirates.
In addition, discussions on oil trade in the yuan undermine the Petrodolar strategy and attract the attention of the West.
These geopolitical complexities may undermine trilateral cooperation, revealing responsibility lines and structural weaknesses.
While sectors specified as trade, energy, infrastructure and advanced technologies offer natural convergence areas, geopolitical competition and cultural disparities are major obstacles.
In addition, there is simply a clear asymmetry between actors: smaller ASEAN economies may not have organization and financial opportunities to full engage in this tripartite format.However, the China-ASEAN-GCC platform is simply a fresh configuration within the emerging multipolar planet order.
It reflects the accelerating momentum of South-South cooperation, which integrates multipolarity with multilateralism and economical globalisation.Trump's tariff storm was a informing signal for many US partners in ASEAN and the Persian Gulf, stressing the request to diversify partnerships and adopt pragmatic alternatives.
Closer ties to Beijing do not necessarily mean a complete change from 1 hegemon to another.
Instead, ASEAN and GCC effort to engage both China and the USA where possible.However, fresh events propose that Washington's strategy of exerting force on states to reduce ties with China in exchange for benefits is losing its popularity.Key questions now are whether ASEAN can effectively balance the rivalry of the large powers to become an autonomous pole in a multipolar world;whether regional actors can keep this delicate balance and avoid creating military blocks in and outside the Asia-Pacific region;and whether the tripartite framework alone can last the increasing geopolitical tensions.The questions stay open – and the answers will only come in time.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/618501-china-asean-gcc-summit/
