KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 -- In an era marked by intensifying geopolitical rivalries, global economic fragmentation, and technological decoupling, the recently concluded Asean-GCC-China Economic Summit in Kuala Lumpur was more than just another multilateral gathering.

It was, in effect, a sophisticated and subtle rehearsal - a trial effort to envision a new global platform of mutual respect, shared development, and inclusive diplomacy.

To allow leaders and decision makers to form a camaraderie.

A sense of collegiality.

Yet, to truly understand the Summit's significance, one must go beyond its surface-level formalities, invariably, to parse the deeper institutional and civilisational undercurrents that shaped it.

These summits clearly had ...