As Chair of ASEAN for the year 2025, Malaysia has assumed a pivotal role in steering the region’s diplomatic direction by hosting the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMCs) on 10 and 11 July in Kuala Lumpur.

These annual dialogues, convened immediately after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, form a vital component of ASEAN’s external relations framework.

They provide an institutionalised platform for ASEAN Foreign Ministers to engage their counterparts from Dialogue Partner countries in discussions on regional security, economic cooperation, strategic developments, and long-term partnerships.

Inclusivity and Sustainability

Guided by the overarching theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, Malaysia has led these meetings with clarity and commitment, reinforcing ASEAN’s strategic autonomy and multilateral relevance.

A total of eleven PMCs were held across two days. On 10 July, Malaysia chaired the ASEAN PMC with China, in its role as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN–China Dialogue Relations. Indonesia took on the responsibility of coordinating the ASEAN PMC with Australia while Lao PDR coordinated the conference with Canada.

The Philippines served as the Country Coordinator for the PMC with India and Viet Nam coordinated the meeting with New Zealand. Singapore chaired the conference with Japan, Myanmar coordinated the one with Russia, Thailand was responsible for the conference with the Republic of Korea and Cambodia coordinated the ASEAN PMC with the United States.

On 11 July, the PMC with the United Kingdom was coordinated by Viet Nam while Brunei Darussalam oversaw the ASEAN PMC with the European Union.

Structured distribution of responsibilities

This structured distribution of responsibilities among ASEAN Member States ensures continuity, focused engagement and the development of tailored cooperation strategies with each Dialogue Partner.

These PMCs reaffirm ASEAN’s foundational principle of Centrality, allowing ASEAN to engage constructively with the international community while preserving regional unity and identity.

The conferences also provide critical opportunities to exchange perspectives on global developments, review cooperation under existing frameworks and initiate new avenues of collaboration.

ASEAN-China meeting holds exceptional strategic significance

Among all the PMCs, the meeting between ASEAN and China holds exceptional strategic significance. Malaysia, as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN–China Dialogue Relations from 2024 to 2027, played a central role in shaping the discussion.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers were joined by His Excellency Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, with Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, co-chairing the session.

In his remarks, Mohamad warmly welcomed the Chinese delegation to Kuala Lumpur and highlighted the deep, multifaceted relationship between ASEAN and China.

He stated that ASEAN–China Dialogue Relations remain among the most dynamic and substantial partnerships ASEAN holds, underpinned by mutual trust, shared interests and expanding economic interdependence.

Mohamad noted that in today’s increasingly unpredictable international landscape, the commitment to peace and stability must be redoubled. He stressed that ASEAN and China must continue working together to maintain a peaceful and prosperous region.

Ongoing tensions in South China Sea should be manage with wisdom and restraint

He further urged that the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea should be managed with wisdom and restraint, ensuring that they do not endanger regional security or disrupt global trade routes.

Significantly, he welcomed the progress made in negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea and expressed confidence that with continued dedication, a substantive and effective COC can be finalised in the near future.

He also applauded China’s readiness to become the first Nuclear Weapon State (NWS) to sign and ratify the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) without reservations. This, he said, would mark a monumental commitment to a nuclear-free Southeast Asia and reinforce global non-proliferation efforts.

On the economic front

On the economic front, he highlighted that ASEAN and China have maintained their positions as each other’s largest trading partners for four consecutive years, with total trade reaching USD770.94 billion in 2024, reflecting a robust 10.61 percent increase from the previous year.

He also acknowledged that amidst rising protectionism and uncertainties in global markets, ASEAN and China must remain vigilant in defending an open, fair and rules-based trading system.

In this context, he emphasized the strategic importance of the upcoming ASEAN–China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0, which is set to be signed later this year. This new agreement is expected to deepen economic integration and enhance resilience in the face of global disruptions.

To conclude, the PMCs hosted by Malaysia were a vivid manifestation of Malaysia’s commitment to regional peace, shared prosperity and principled internationalism. Through its firm yet inclusive approach, Malaysia has elevated ASEAN’s position on the global stage while strengthening individual partnerships with key Dialogue Partners.

Moreover, the success of the PMCs and the broader 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is a direct reflection of the diplomatic acumen and energetic leadership of Mohamad Hasan. Chairing so many high-level meetings across a few days, and navigating complex geopolitical dialogues with major global powers, he demonstrated statesmanship, clarity and stamina that elevated Malaysia’s stature within ASEAN and beyond.

-- BERNAMA

Dr Hussain Yusri Zawawi is the Head of the Centre for International Relations Studies, Faculty of Law and International Relations, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA)