ASEAN summit opens in Malaysia with focus on integration, resilience

China

ASEAN summit opens in Malaysia with focus on integration, resilience

2025-05-26 14:12 Last Updated At：05-27 00:07

The 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit opened on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, with greater regional integration and resilience against trade and economic disruptions high on the agenda.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the plenary session, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged ASEAN members to work together to face the challenges brought about by a changing world order to ensure the agenda of sustainable and equitable development is not sidelined.

"For ASEAN, our peace, stability and prosperity have often depended on an open, inclusive, rules-based international order, anchored in the free flow of trade, capital and people. These foundations are now being dismantled under the force of arbitrary action," he said.

"Indeed, a transition in the geopolitical order is underway and the global trading system is under further strain, with the recent imposition of U.S. unilateral tariffs. Protectionism is resurging as we bear witness to multilateralism breaking apart at the seams," he added.

Anwar also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with friendly partners of the grouping, noting the significance of the first ever ASEAN-GCC (the Gulf Cooperation Council)-China summit, which brings together the grouping along with the GCC and China, the region's biggest economic partner.

The summit will adopt the ASEAN community vision 2045 and issue a declaration, providing guiding opinions and plans for the ASEAN's development in the next 20 years.

Malaysia is serving as the chair of the ASEAN for 2025, and is hosting the ASEAN Summit and related summits under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability."

Established in 1967, the bloc groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Countries around world welcome 2026 with fireworks, shows

People across the world rang in 2026 with fireworks, drone shows and musical performances, as millions gathered in city squares, harbors and stadiums to mark the arrival of the new year.

In Brazil, Sao Paulo hosted the 100th edition of its traditional New Year's Eve road race on Wednesday, drawing about 55,000 runners from 48 countries and regions.

Organizers said ten percent of participants were over 60, with the oldest aged 95, marking records in both participants and age range.

"I think this race is about celebrating life and health. I hope to bring a good start for 2026 in this way," said Fabio, one of the runners.

In South Africa, tens of thousands of residents and tourists packed the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town for the New Year countdown. Several live performances were staged to ring in the new year.

As midnight struck, fireworks lit up the harbor skies while crowds cheered and sang in unison, welcoming the arrival of 2026.

Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), celebrated the arrival of 2026 with a grand drone show.

A thousand drones formed a blazing phoenix with outstretched wings, while another striking formation depicted a human figure rising from the sea, arms open to welcome the world. As the final seconds ticked away, dazzling fireworks lit up the sky.

In Southeast Asia, Thailand welcomed the new year with a dazzling 20-minute fireworks and drone show over the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, where locals and visitors gathered to celebrate together.