Chinese Premier Li Qiang hails first-ever three-way talks with SE Asia, Gulf nations

Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged Asean and Gulf state leaders on May 27, 2025, to increase cooperation with Beijing. His call came as China pushes to strengthen global economic ties amid intractable trade tensions with the US. Addressing the inaugural summit involving China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Li said that the three sides could create a “vibrant economic circle” through deeper exchanges that would benefit each nation as well as global development.