Sources Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat – Ministry of State Secretariat
“China has even become ASEAN’s largest trading partner for the past 12 years.”
Media www.rajawalisiber.com – During the 30 years that ASEAN and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have partnered, there have been many concrete collaborations between the two regions, including in the economic sector. China has even become ASEAN’s largest trading partner for the past 12 years.
This was conveyed by President Joko Widodo in his speech while attending the Special Conference to Commemorate 30 Years of ASEAN-China Relations virtually from the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, on Monday, November 22, 2021.
“Our trade in 1991 was worth USD 8.36 billion and last year it reached more than USD 685.28 billion, an 82-fold increase in just less than 30 years,” said President Jokowi.
In addition, two-way cumulative investment has also exceeded USD310 billion over the past 30 years, placing China as the fourth largest source of FDI among all ASEAN dialogue partners.
According to President Jokowi, the strong relationship that exists between ASEAN and China requires hard work, one of which is by building trust in order to build a stronger and mutually beneficial partnership in the next 30 years.
“This mutual trust can be realized if we all respect international law,” he said.
The ASEAN-China partnership, President Jokowi continued, needs to be strengthened to make the region an economic powerhouse. Balanced trade is also very important to continue to strive for.
“Therefore, cooperation to support the economic transition, energy transition, and digital transition is very important for future cooperation,” said the President.
In order to make this happen, the President said that ASEAN-China has a responsibility to create a peaceful and stable region. President Jokowi believes that without peace and stability there will be no prosperity.
“Let’s strengthen cooperation to recover together, recover stronger,” he said.
“I congratulate 30 years of ASEAN-China. I am sure that the comprehensive strategic partnership will lead us to a big leap for the progress of ASEAN-China relations in the future,” said the President.
Also accompanying the President in this activity were Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Director General of ASEAN Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia for ASEAN Derry Aman.
(BPMI Setpres)