China, ASEAN, and GCC Collaborate to Enhance Supply Chain Resilience

Strengthening Regional Supply Chains: A Collaborative Effort by China, ASEAN, and GCC

On May 29, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, significant strides were made by China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to bolster their regional supply chain resilience. The joint efforts aim not only to enhance economic cooperation but also stabilize industrial supply chains. This collaborative approach comes amidst a backdrop of global economic recovery and aims to address various challenges faced by the supply chain due to recent global events.

Initiatives Shaping the Future

At the heart of this collaboration are several multilateral initiatives such as the China-ASEAN Economic Forum and the ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum. These forums have seen the participation of nearly 200 representatives from diverse sectors, including government and private enterprises. Notably, Ren Hongbin, the president of CCPIT (China Council for the Promotion of International Trade), emphasized the critical nature of the agreements achieved, particularly regarding partnerships with Malaysia facilitated through major economic frameworks like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The ASEAN representatives have shown great optimism toward the technological innovation and industrial cooperation opportunities these partnerships will usher in. Most notably, Malaya and other ASEAN nations are eager to partake in the upcoming 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), which aims to foster an open and stable regional supply chain network.

CISCE: A Global Platform for Innovation

Scheduled to take place soon, the 3rd edition of CISCE is drawing immense global attention as the premier national expo on supply chains. Previous events have translated into transactions exceeding 300 billion RMB, with the upcoming edition expected to host hundreds of international enterprises. The newly introduced "Innovation Chain Zone" intends to showcase high-value intellectual property and emerging technologies, reinforcing the expo's commitment to fostering innovation.

Michael Hart, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, recently invited U.S. companies to join the expo, highlighting CISCE's unique value in a fragmented global commercial landscape. Ren characterized the event as an "oasis of cooperation in an uncertain world," designed to facilitate global businesses through integrated solutions across sectors. This year’s edition will continue to focus on six major areas while introducing innovative models aimed at enhancing global supply chain resilience.

Collaboration and Future Potential

The inaugural ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum, held from May 27-28, further emphasized the collaborative spirit in the region. Ren led a delegation of over 30 executives from energy, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure sectors, conducting in-depth discussions with officials from both ASEAN and GCC. These discussions have already yielded multiple memoranda of understanding for cross-border cooperation, showcasing the commitment to harnessing collective resources for mutual benefit.

Innovations in various fields, from low-carbon ice creams to pioneering compressed air energy storage technology, are setting the stage for CISCE as a global hub for business innovation. Given the rising tide of trade protectionism, CISCE emerges as a transparent and standard-based forum for cooperation, poised to play a pivotal role in transforming inter-regional supply chain dynamics.

In conclusion, the partnership between China, ASEAN, and GCC marks a significant evolution in regional economic collaboration. With innovative events and consistent dialogue at the executive level, the prospects for a resilient supply chain framework in the future look promising.