Malaysia will host a joint summit in May with China, ASEAN, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to strengthen economic ties amid global trade tensions, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said. The GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Anwar stressed ASEAN’s need to expand beyond traditional partners, emphasising strategic relevance in a multipolar world. Malaysia, chairing ASEAN this year, aims to maintain neutrality amid US-China tensions. Trade Minister Zafrul Aziz plans to visit the US in the second quarter for trade discussions. China remains ASEAN’s largest trading partner. Malaysia sees itself as China’s gateway to the region, reinforcing its role as a bridge between major economies while rejecting economic coercion and unilateral actions that threaten regional stability.