President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) acknowledged the fact that the partnership between the ASEAN and China dating back 30 years had yielded several concrete results for both regions, especially in the economic sector.

“Our trade in 1991 was worth US$8.36 billion, while last year, it reached more than US$685.28 billion, an 82-fold increase under 30 years,” Jokowi remarked while attending a Special Summit to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations at the Presidential Palace here on Monday.

The president noted that China had become the largest trading partner for the ASEAN for the past 12 years.

The Indonesian head of state highlighted that the two-way cumulative investment had also exceeded US$310 billion over the past three decades, thereby placing China as the fourth-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of all ASEAN Speech Partners.

The strong relationship between the ASEAN and China requires hard work, one of which is through building trust for a more solid, mutual, and beneficial partnership for the next three decades, the president emphasized.

“That mutual trust can be realized if we all respect the international law,” he affirmed.

Jokowi called to empower the ASEAN-China partnership in order to transform the region into an economic powerhouse while emphasizing on the importance of balanced trade to be pursued.

“Hence, cooperation to support transition in terms of the economy, energy, and digitalization becomes imminent for going forward,” he highlighted.

To realize a firmer relationship and efforts of transition, he noted that the ASEAN and China were responsible for ensuring peace and stability in the region. Jokowi believes that there will be no prosperity without peace and stability.

“Let us strengthen cooperation to recover together, recover stronger,” he affirmed.

The president also extended his congratulations on the 30 years of ASEAN-China partnership. He is positive that the comprehensive strategic partnership will lead ASEAN and China to take a giant leap.

At the ASEAN-China Special Summit, Jokowi was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Director General of ASEAN Cooperation at the Foreign Affairs Ministry Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, and Indonesian Permanent Representative to the ASEAN Derry Aman.

Source: Antara News