The recent China–ASEAN–GCC summit, held for the first time this May, was more than a symbolic gathering. It marked a formalization of growing and increasingly institutionalized cooperation among the three regions. Bringing together China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the summit built upon longstanding bilateral relationships as well as emerging trilateral initiatives.
Over the past decade, China’s relationships with both ASEAN and the Gulf countries have expanded steadily. Likewise, connections between ASEAN and the Gulf, especially in trade and investment, have strengthened. This summit confirmed that these separate strands of engagement are converging into a structured trilateral framework based on shared interests and practical collaboration.
One clear example of this cooperation is the partnership among China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Indonesia. Their collaboration began during the COVID-19 pandemic when Indonesia secured millions of vaccine doses through agreements with China and the UAE. A joint initiative led by China’s Sinopharm and the UAE’s Group 42 conducted one of the world’s first Phase III vaccine trials in Abu Dhabi. Indonesian officials also considered extending the partnership to involve Bio Farma, the country’s state-owned vaccine manufacturer.
Building on this health cooperation, the three countries expanded their collaboration to infrastructure and technology. In 2021, UAE officials visited Indonesia to explore a $500 million investment in a tourism project in the northern region of Aceh, accompanied by Chinese representatives interested in participating. More broadly, both China and the UAE have committed to investing in Indonesia’s ambitious plan to build a new capital city, Nusantara.
According to Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board, the UAE planned to invest up to $10 billion in Nusantara, focusing on infrastructure, information technology, and green industrial zones. China has expressed interest in similar sectors, including transportation, construction materials, and renewable energy. These overlapping investments may suggest a growing trilateral cooperation model supporting Indonesia’s development goals.
A similar trilateral pattern is now emerging between Qatar, China, and Indonesia. Recently, Doha and Jakarta signed an agreement to build up to six million housing units, a project financed by Qatar and involving Chinese contractors. This large-scale housing initiative reflects how capital from the Gulf, technical expertise from China, and local priorities from ASEAN countries are increasingly aligned.
With the recent summit, this trilateral cooperation has the potential to extend beyond Indonesia and address broader regional challenges such as urbanization, energy demand, and digital transformation. Infrastructure development can now include smart cities, digital connectivity, and climate-resilient planning. The Gulf’s financial resources, China’s technology and manufacturing capabilities, and ASEAN’s growing urban centers may create a natural synergy.
Energy cooperation offers further potential. The Gulf states are diversifying into renewable energy, China leads in clean energy technologies, and ASEAN’s energy demand continues to grow. Collaborative ventures in solar power, hydrogen fuel, and energy storage could improve regional energy security and sustainability.
Trilateral cooperation between ASEAN, China, and the GCC is likely to deepen and extend into new sectors, reinforcing a pragmatic partnership model built on complementary strengths.
The digital economy is also a growing focus. ASEAN’s rapid digitization requires investment not only in hardware but also in knowledge transfer and scalable platforms. Chinese companies can provide foundational digital infrastructure, Gulf countries may invest in artificial intelligence and cloud computing, and ASEAN offers expanding consumer markets. Together, they have the potential to drive a digital transformation tailored to regional needs.
Environmental cooperation can advance as well. Projects like mangrove conservation, sustainable construction, and green industrial zones reflect a shared recognition of environmental challenges. Pooling scientific expertise, local knowledge, and investment can lead to measurable ecological benefits.
This trilateral framework enables each party to achieve two objectives simultaneously: strengthening ties with two key partners.
At the same time, it enables them to diversify their partnerships beyond traditional Western alignments. ASEAN and GCC countries are expanding their relationships with China to balance strategic options and support their development goals. Similarly, China is seeking to broaden its partnerships beyond the West by deepening ties with neighboring ASEAN countries and the Middle East.
Trilateral cooperation between ASEAN, China, and the GCC is likely to deepen and extend into new sectors, reinforcing a pragmatic partnership model built on complementary strengths. This framework provides a solid foundation for regional collaboration, focusing on infrastructure, technology, and sustainable development, while striking a balance between economic growth and strategic flexibility.
This article was co-authored by Yeta Purnama, a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), and Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Director of the China-Indonesia Desk at CELIOS.
