Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reaffirmed that ASEAN remains committed to maintaining balanced and constructive engagement with all major powers, amid perceptions of the regional bloc's deepening ties with China. He noted that the regional bloc remains committed to balanced engagement with all major powers based on its principle of centrality.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar addressed the perception during the wrap-up press conference of the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). He emphasized that ASEAN will continue to engage both the United States and China, as well as other countries, following recommendations by the foreign ministers during their first meeting in January in Langkawi, Malaysia.

Malaysia hosted the summit under its ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship, with the overarching theme 'ASEAN Matters: Inclusivity and Sustainability'. The two-day summit also saw participation of ASEAN leaders and representatives from key dialogue partners in two high-level meetings -- the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit -- aimed at expanding regional and inter-regional cooperation.

Anwar added that the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit should not be viewed as evidence of a pivot to Beijing. He mentioned having formally written to President Donald Trump to express ASEAN's agreement to proceed with a United States-ASEAN Summit, as proposed by the bloc's foreign ministers.

Anwar reiterated that ASEAN's position remains rooted in its centrality and people-focused agenda, prioritizing the welfare and well-being of its citizens through economic relations, trade, and investment. He highlighted Malaysia's role as a hub for semiconductors, with significant exports going to the United States, and emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations with various countries.