ASEAN-CHINA ECONOMIC TIES VITAL AMID GLOBAL TRADE UNCERTAINTY, SAYS BERNAMA CHAIRMAN

By Lucia Terey John

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Bernama) -- A stronger economic partnership between ASEAN and China will offer vital pathway for regional stability and growth amid rising global trade tensions, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chairman, Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said. 

“Free trade, once seen as a force for prosperity and integration, is now under scrutiny.

“What makes this moment particularly challenging is the deep uncertainty surrounding trade actions from the US administration,” he said at the inaugural ASEAN-China Media and Think Tank Forum held here, Friday.

Wong said despite the challenges, ASEAN and China, as a strong advocate of international trade, have recognised the need for deeper economic integration, as both sides intend to sign the 3.0 version of ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) in 2025.

ASEAN and China have built close economic and trade ties since the launch of ACFTA 1.0 in January 2010, leading to a surge in the two-way trade and investment, improved connectivity and vibrant people-to-people exchanges.

“China has become ASEAN's largest trading partner for sixteen consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China's top trading partner for five consecutive years. For Malaysia, the country remains China’s second-largest trading partner and largest source of imports in ASEAN,” he said.

He noted that such flourishing trade relations would not have been possible if both sides - which collectively account for more than one-fifth of the global economy and represent a market of over 2 billion people - had not shared a commitment to the vision of creating an integrated regional market, building connectivity, and leveraging each other's strengths for mutual benefit.

Wong noted that in an era where global trade uncertainty and higher US tariffs will become the norm, it is more important than ever to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between ASEAN and China.

“By pooling their vast consumer bases and production capabilities, the ASEAN and China can jointly build super-sized markets, set up regional supply chains and deepen intra-regional trade, which would help sustain growth in the region while mitigating the impact of higher US tariffs," he said.

These collective actions would signal a commitment to open markets, mutual prosperity, and a rules-based trading system that benefits all participants.

“As companies around the world rethink their dependencies on any single market, the combined economic weight of ASEAN and China provides an attractive alternative," he said.

Wong said Malaysia, as the ASEAN chair this year, is committed to advancing regional economic integration, promoting trade and investment within ASEAN and with China, as well as strengthening supply chain collaboration.

“Our nation’s strategic location, robust infrastructure and thriving digital economy position us as a natural conduit for ASEAN-China collaboration.

“While consolidating partnerships in traditional economic areas, Malaysian and Chinese companies are gradually expanding cooperation in emerging fields, such as artificial intelligence, digital technologies, green and low-carbon energies, and high-end manufacturing,” he said.

He also underscored the media’s role in supporting these efforts.

“As Chairman of Bernama, I believe that media and communication also play a vital role in bridging narratives, fostering mutual understanding, and amplifying the successes of our economic partnerships," he said.

The one-day ASEAN-China Media and Think Tank Forum was opened by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof earlier today, with Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Xinhua News Agency’s Editor-in-Chief Lyu Yansong among those present.

Also in attendance were Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Secretary-General of the Communications Ministry Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Bernama’s Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, and Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.

Jointly organised by Bernama and Xinhua News Agency under the theme ‘Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation’, the one-day event drew over 200 participants, including influential media leaders, representatives, senior government officials and experts from across the ASEAN region and China, to deepen engagement in the ever-evolving media landscape.

-- BERNAMA