Editor's note: In this weekly feature China Daily gives voice to Asia and its people. The stories presented come mainly from the Asia News Network (ANN), of which China Daily is among its 20 leading titles.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, is pivoting toward strengthened South-South cooperation with BRICS amid escalating US trade barriers and global protectionist trends.

Malaysia, chair of ASEAN this year, also one of BRICS partner countries, is boosting efforts at finding synergies between ASEAN and BRICS.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said at a meeting of BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 29, that Malaysia stands ready to work with BRICS and all partners who share the vision of inclusive development and pragmatic multilateralism.

He said the Global South must forge a new path and take the lead in reshaping international cooperation as the stability and security of the world economy are being actively undermined by the current international system. The flurry of tariffs that sent shock waves through the global community was not only a threat but also a revelation.

"The stability and security of the world economy that hegemony has promised is now increasingly eroding. Therefore, we need to pioneer a new path forward," he said in his speech at the meeting.

He said the situation opens up space for developing countries to strengthen international cooperation based on their strengths.

"It should now be clear to any educated observer that the Global South as a collective is increasingly becoming a major actor in the changing global order … This is an opportunity to reshape international cooperation in ways that reflect our strengths and better serve our needs."

As the world's fifth-largest economy with a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion, ASEAN offers significant purchasing power, strong export performance, and open-minded diplomacy, Mohamad said.

"ASEAN has huge purchasing power, an excellent record in world exports, and practices open-minded diplomacy," he said.

BRICS is not just a forum, but a force for economic resilience, political balance and social progress. Through collective efforts of the two sides, Global South can offer a vision of a new and more just world, he said.

"We must be proactive, forward-looking, and united in shaping a cooperative, just world order," he said.