Sultan of Brunei plans visit to Malaysia for ASEAN Summit

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei expressed a strong interest in visiting Malaysia to attend the upcoming ASEAN Summit and related forums, highlighting the significance of the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China Economic Forum scheduled in Malaysia. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, leading the Malaysian delegation to the 17th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information, conveyed the Sultan's anticipation and appreciation for regional cooperation efforts. Concurrently, Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to visit Malaysia in late May to attend the ASEAN-GCC-China summit, aiming to strengthen alliances against U.S. tariffs amid ongoing trade tensions. This visit follows Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent trip to Malaysia, emphasizing efforts to finalize an ASEAN-China free trade deal and encourage unity against excessive tariffs. The ASEAN Summit on May 26 and the ASEAN-GCC-China summit on May 27 in Malaysia are poised to address key regional economic cooperation and geopolitical challenges, with trade expected to be a central topic. Malaysia's role as ASEAN Chair and its strategic position in global trade underscore its importance amid these high-level diplomatic engagements.