At the 28th ASEAN Plus Three Summit in Kuala Lumpur, the Chinese premier Li Qiang set the tone for a renewed era of cooperation across East Asia. Addressing leaders from 10 ASEAN members plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, Li underscored the power of dialogue in settling disputes and charting a course toward shared prosperity.
Under Kuala Lumpurs skyline, delegates from 13 nations gathered with a shared goal: uphold free trade and defend the multilateral trading system against rising protectionism. “We must remain committed to properly resolving differences through dialogue and consultation,” Li said, positioning openness as the antidote to economic fragmentation.
Analysts note that the ASEAN Plus Three region accounts for nearly one-third of global trade and supports countless startups, from fintech innovators in Singapore to advanced manufacturers in the Republic of Korea. Young entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts see Lis call as a green light to deepen cross-border e-commerce, while digital nomads and travelers anticipate fewer barriers to movement and more immersive experiences.
Beyond trade, Li outlined Chinas vision for strategic alignment: “We are willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with all parties, adhere to openness and cooperation, and take more practical actions to jointly achieve new successes for East Asia’s development.” For sustainability advocates and thought leaders, multilateral policies promise a platform to tackle climate goals and social challenges together.
As the summit wraps up, attention turns to concrete steps—tariff reductions, streamlined supply chains, and upgraded digital connectivity—that will determine whether todays pledges become tomorrows progress. In a world craving unity, ASEAN Plus Three may just lead the way.
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Chinese premier urges all parties to uphold free trade at ASEAN Plus 3
cgtn.com
